They created a new sergeant position specifically for Walker that kept him at a desk.

And they set their sights on Lange.

His testimony during the August 2015 hearing was cited as an example of his “deficient performance” in his evaluation, according to his attorney. He was put on a “Performance Improvement Plan.”

Lange claims he was required to work 90 to 100 hours every two-week period. And suddenly, 20 years of positive evaluations took a nosedive when Kelley began writing them. One of the evaluations was then leaked to Lange’s patrol officers before it was given to Lange, according to the lawsuit. He didn’t get an annual $2,100 raise.

Lange said he lost weight, suffered from chronic heartburn, sleepless nights. He started isolating himself, declined fishing trips, sporting events. He gets emotional recalling the times his isolation affected his son.

“Here’s an officer who wants to tell the truth and is punished for it,” Pleban said.

Walker and Lange filed suit together in January 2017.

Lange, in a recent interview, said, “It pained me greatly to take legal action to defend myself. But I felt like I was left with no other options.