Gov. Robert Bentley today apologized to the government of India for the injuries suffered by an Indian grandfather during an encounter with a police officer while visiting his family in Madison.

"I deeply regret the unfortunate use of excessive force by the Madison Police Department on Sureshbhai Patel and for the injuries sustained by Mr. Patel," Bentley wrote to Consul General Ajit Kumar in Atlanta. "I sincerely hope that Mr. Patel continues to improve and that he will regain full use of his legs."

Bentley said he has instructed the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to conduct an investigation into the incident parallel to one being done by the FBI.

"I wish to assure you and the government of India that we will see that justice is done arising from the use of excessive force under color of state law upon a citizen of India," Bentley wrote.

Bentley also thanked Kumar for his visit to Alabama on Monday.

Former Madison Police Officer Eric Sloan Parker, 26, pleaded not guilty today to third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor. Parker was fired after the Feb. 6 incident.

This story was edited at 5:48 p.m. to correct quote from Bentley's letter to say "citizen of India."