By Monique Garcia
The Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO — The Chicago police officer facing misconduct charges after allegedly confronting his wife and her male acquaintance while on duty was relieved of his police powers Tuesday and placed on no-pay status pending the outcome of an internal investigation, officials said.
Donald Branch, a 16-year veteran assigned to the Englewood District, also appeared in court Tuesday and was ordered to surrender his Firearm Owner’s Identification card as a condition of his bail.
Prosecutors allege that Branch, 37, and his partner were on a plainclothes detail in an unmarked car when Branch went to his wife’s home in the 11600 ) block of South Elizabeth Street around 9:45 a.m. Monday.
The wife and the male friend were leaving the house when Branch approached the woman and started to take his service weapon out of its holster, said Assistant State’s Atty. Michael Evans.
She screamed for Branch to stop when he put his hands around her neck, slapped her in the face and threw her to the ground, Evans said.
Branch then is alleged to have grabbed his weapon and pointed it at the man, who fled.
Branch chased the man down the street, but the man eventually lost Branch in an alley, Evans said.
As the incident unfolded, Branch’s partner called for him to stop, Evans said.
As Branch chased the man, his partner got into their squad car and went after him.
Meanwhile, Branch returned to the house, grabbed a shovel from the side of the home and smashed in the front and rear windows of the man’s truck before an arresting officer arrived, Evans said.
Dan Herbert, Branch’s attorney, said his client denied the prosecutor’s version of events, but would not elaborate.
Branch and his wife have been separated for about a year and have three children, prosecutors said.
A judge set his bail at $150,000 Wednesday afternoon, which Branch later posted, Herbert said.
Copyright 2008 The Chicago Tribune