Witnesses described a wrestling match at a June 3 baby shower that got out of hand, resulting in one off-duty Hobart police officer sustaining a bloody mouth and nose, and another suffering possible permanent eye damage.

Accounts of the brawl took place at a Monday hearing before the three-man Hobart Board of Public Works and Safety for Patrolman Adam Ahmad, who is appealing a 60-day suspension for his role in the melee.

Two other off-duty Hobart patrolmen, brothers Adrian and Andrew Bustos, waived their right to appeal and are serving the 60-day unpaid suspension for their involvement in the fight.

No one involved in the brawl, including the three officers, was arrested as a result of the incident.

But Hobart Police Chief Richard Zormier recommended all three receive the suspensions without pay for acts of physical violence or fighting, acts which could have resulted in termination under department rules.

“We’re asking for a suspension, not termination. We’re not here to discredit Officer Ahmad. We stipulate that he has been a good officer, and that’s why we want him back on the department,” said attorney Adam Mindel, representing Zormier in the hearing.

Ahmad’s attorney, Christopher Cooper, showed photos of Ahmad soon after the fight. He had a severely swollen left eye, a cut under the eye, a chipped front tooth and a red bruise on his head.

Cooper said Ahmad may have permanent eye damage after being repeatedly kicked while on the ground.

The Bustoses’ sister, Alexandra Bustos, said a younger brother and his friend started to wrestle at the event as it extended late into the evening and early the next morning.

She said the wrestling got out of hand and moved outside.

She said Ahmad grabbed the friend’s hair and wouldn’t let go. She said a chunk of the friend’s hair was on the grass.

She said Ahmad shoved her forcibly out of the way.

“I thought the shove was aggressive, but I didn’t fall,” Alexandra Bustos said.

Another witness, Nicole Ayala, said she was in the kitchen when she saw the silhouette of people fighting outside.

Ayala said she was asked to get Ahmad, who she described as a good friend, and he pushed her out of the way.

“Tensions were high. I saw Andrew (Bustos) had a bloody nose, but I didn’t know how,” Ayala said.

Portage Detective Jerremy McFadden, who was also off-duty while attending the party, said he saw several people wrestling and tried to break it up.

“Twice Adam Ahmad grabbed me by the throat and tried to knock me to the ground,” McFadden said.

When questioned by Cooper, McFadden said he saw Andrew Bustos bleeding from his mouth and nose.

He said he was not aware than Ahmad had to be taken to the hospital as a result of his injuries.

Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.