Kenosha Police Officer Arrested; Punched Estranged Wife's Boyfriend at Hospital

RACINE COUNTY -- A Kenosha Police Officer faces criminal charges after an apparent bout of jealous rage led him to strike his estranged wife's boyfriend and threaten to run him over with his police squad.

That officer, Kendal J. West, 29, of Kenosha, now faces three criminal charges in Racine County and is out on a $20,000 signature bond.

According to the criminal complaint, the boyfriend of West's estranged wife was working in his capacity at the emergency room on Jan. 1 when he was contacted by her, stating she wanted to "stop by and say hello."

The two, who had been seeing each other for about a month, agreed to meet briefly outside a Kenosha hospital just after 1:30 a.m. on January 1.

According to the criminal complaint, as the two were talking, the boyfriend heard the sound of a speeding car, at which point the estranged wife said "he must have tracked my phone."

Moments later, a Kenosha Police Department squad pulled up near them. According to the complaint, West exited his squad car, charged at the boyfriend, said "you son of a bitch" and punched the boyfriend multiple times in the head.

The complaint further states that West's estranged wife implored him to "remember his job," to no avail. West reportedly went backed into his squad car, accelerated toward the boyfriend and swerved at the last minute, missing him by approximately 2-3 feet.

Investigators who spoke with Kenosha Police department officials, were told that they were able to review hospital surveillance footage, which showed Wests's squad car pull up, and West approaching and punching the boyfriend.

According to the complaint, a friend of the boyfriend told police that the two were at The Factory Bar on 7th Ave. in Kensoha earlier in the evening when West approached the group.

Shortly after West approached the group, the complaint states, the group left, only to have West follow the boyfriend to the hospital.

The complaint further stated that West's estranged wife tried serving him divorce papers earlier in the day, but he tore them up. She indicated that she was concerned about him stalking her.

>>> Image via Racine County Jail