ROCKFORD — A Rockford police officer with a history of professional and legal troubles is one of three officers accused of using excessive force during a Rockford man’s arrest.

An attorney for Torrey T. Turner, of Rockford, filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Rockford against Rockford Police Officer Jonathan Hedges. Also named as defendants are the city of Rockford, Rockford Police Investigator Brian Strawser and former Rockford Park District Officer Jason Parada.

Turner reportedly suffered multiple facial fractures requiring reconstructive surgery. He now has plates and screws around his eye socket and cheek, Turner’s attorney, Louis J. Meyer, said Wednesday.

The officers used “extremely excessive” force in arresting Turner on Oct. 10, Meyer said. Turner was arrested after police were called to his home in the 1400 block of Green Street because of an altercation with his wife.

Meyer said Turner and his wife lived with Turner’s friend, and the altercation between the couple occurred when Turner discovered his wife and friend were having an affair. A neighbor called police, but Turner didn’t want to leave the home to talk with officers, Meyer said.

“He wanted to walk away,” Meyer said of Turner.

Instead, Turner took off running. He stopped in the 1500 block of Green Street when Hedges blocked Turner’s path with his squad car, the lawsuit says.

Turner put his hands in the air and got on the ground, Meyer said.

“Once they get him on the ground with a knee in the back, he was not resisting,” Meyer said. “And yet they used the force.”

According to the lawsuit and Meyer, Hedges pinned Turner to the ground with his knee and then hit Turner in the face with a dark-colored object; Strawser and Parada then began to strike Turner.

Turner was accused of throwing his elbow into Hedges’ chest and trying to punch him, but Turner denies those allegations, Meyer said.

“A witness did not see Torrey throw any punches,” Meyer said.

He declined to disclose the name of the witness.

“He does have some fear that the police will come and try to get him to change his testimony,” Meyer said.

The officers said they struck Turner because his hands were underneath him on the ground and he was reaching for his waist, Meyer said.

Turner pleaded guilty to charges of domestic battery and resisting an officer.

A Winnebago County Circuit Court judge on April 4 sentenced Turner to 180 days in jail and ordered him to serve two years of probation, court records show. Turner received credit for 177 days spent in jail.

City spokeswoman Kimberly Bruce said by email todaythat officials reviewed the use of force after Turner’s incident.

“That review concluded the use of force was reasonable based on the circumstances,” Bruce stated. “The city denies the allegations of excessive force as alleged in the plaintiff’s complaint. The city intends to limit further comment on this litigation matter to responding to public comment by the plaintiff or his representatives out of respect for the jury trial system.”

A message was left for Hedges, but he wasn’t available for comment.

Cherry Valley Police Chief Mike Neville said his department hired Parada about two months ago. Neville declined to comment, saying, “This is the first I’m hearing of” the lawsuit.

Hedges was hired by the Rockford Police Department in February 2008. Strawser was hired in August 2006. Last month, Strawser was promoted to investigator.

The Turner incident occurred four days before Hedges was found on Oct. 14 unconscious behind the wheel of his truck outside a Rockford residence with his off-duty handgun lying in the driveway. Hedges was arrested on charges of driving drunk and the illegal transportation of alcohol, but those charges were dismissed Dec. 15, Winnebago County Circuit Court records show.

Hedges was fired March 22 after internal affairs investigations into the Oct. 14 incident, and previous allegations of misconduct that included taking photographs of crime victims and crime scenes with a personal phone.

Hedges and police union officials filed a grievance, and in August reached a negotiated settlement with the city that returns Hedges to the police force after a six-month suspension, according to the Rockford Police Department.

It is unclear when the suspension is effective. In the email today, Bruce said: “The city has agreed to terms for the reinstatement of Officer Hedges’ employment with the Rockford Police Department. Upon receipt of the formal agreement, Officer Hedges will complete a training and qualification process and return to full duty, subject to the terms of that agreement.”

Bruce didn’t provide a timeline for when the formal agreement will be completed.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount in damages. Meyer said no dollar amount had been established because he still is working to obtain medical bills; a jury would decide how much to award Turner for his pain and suffering.

Kristen Zambo: 815-987-1339; [email protected]; @KristenZambo