Gary cop to be charged with misdemeanor battery

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Updated: March 11, 2012 8:36AM

A Gary police officer will be charged Thursday with battery for an incident at the St. John VFW where he is post commander.

Terry Peck, a six-year veteran of the Gary Police Department, pushed a 71-year-old Dyer man to the floor during an altercation at the VFW Friday afternoon, St. John police Chief Fred Frego said.

Three witnesses provided similar descriptions of the event, saying the victim, who was not a member of the lodge, was in an argument with someone when Peck asked him to leave.

Subsequently, Peck pushed the man down inside the building and again outside, witnesses said.

The man was not seriously injured, Frego told the Post-Tribune.

Charging information was completed Wednesday and expected to be signed and filed sometime Thursday.

Police department spokeswoman Cpl. Gabrielle King said she was unaware of the incident and had no comment.

The Class A misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Moreover, if Peck is convicted of the crime as charged, he would automatically lose his job. Indiana law states any police officer with a felony or Class A misdemeanor conviction cannot remain employed as such.

Peck faces suspension after the Gary Police Civil Service Commission determined he violated the department’s sick policy. Twice in a year he was off for extended periods but failed to provide medical documents requested by the police administration.

Peck filed a lawsuit in January seeking a judicial review of the commission’s ruling. He is represented by Scott L. King.

Peck has been on sick leave since New Year’s Eve, when he was involved in the shooting of a robbery suspect.

Peck served two tours in Iraq as a member of the Indiana National Guard. He has been involved in two prior on-duty shootings that were ruled justifiable.

Reach Lori Caldwell at 648-3258.