( CNN ) Alabama 's governor apologized for what he called an `` unfortunate use of excessive force '' by a police officer against an Indian man , even as the officer in question pleaded not guilty to assault . Gov . Robert Bentley wrote a letter to the consul general of India in Atlanta , Ajit Kumar , offering an apology to the government of India for the `` tragic incident . '' Bentley was referring to an encounter where a Madison County , Alabama , police officer forced a 59-year-old man to the ground , causing partial paralysis . `` I wish to assure you and the government of India that we will see that justice is done , '' Bentley wrote . On Tuesday , the officer , Eric Parker , entered a plea of not guilty in court . Parker , 26 , has been charged with third-degree assault , a Class A misdemeanor . He waived arraignment , according to Limestone County court documents . CNN reached out to Parker 's attorney , Robert Tuten , for comment , but did n't get an immediate response . Parker posted bail of $ 1,000 last week and was released from jail . Sureshbhai Patel needed spinal fusion surgery to repair damage to his back after Parker forced him to the ground . Video from the dash cameras of two police cars recorded the encounter , which took place the morning of February 6 . Patel was walking through a neighborhood in Madison when Parker and another officer answered a call about a suspicious man . When police responded , there was a language barrier . Patel , who is helping take care of his developmentally delayed 17-month-old grandson , speaks little English . A police statement said Patel was taken to the ground after officers attempted to pat the subject down and he attempted to pull away . An attorney for the Patel family said Tuesday the grandfather was transferred to a rehabilitation facility on Monday . `` He has a long , difficult and uncertain rehabilitation process ahead of him , '' Hank Sherrod wrote in an email to CNN . A trial by judge is scheduled for April 29 .
Eric Parker was released last week after posting $ 1,000 bail . He is accused of assaulting Sureshbhai Patel while on duty and answering a suspicious person report . Patel was taken to the ground and needed spinal surgery .