Two West St. Paul police officers who punched a bar patron in the face while off duty last fall must complete a year of probation and pay the victim’s $5,000 dental bill.

Disorderly conduct charges against officers Michael Eberlein and Joseph Sass were continued for dismissal last week, meaning if the officers complete the probation without similar legal trouble, the cases will be dismissed.

They were ordered to pay $2,500 restitution each to Steven Katz, 57, who lost a tooth during the altercation.

Fifth-degree assault charges against the officers were dismissed.

Eberlein and Sass both admitted to a St. Paul police investigator that they punched Katz after he got into a verbal dispute with Eberlein’s wife at Lucky’s 13 Pub in Mendota in September.

The officers said they punched Katz after he became aggressive toward them, according to the police report.

Eberlein, 34, has been a West St. Paul police officer since May 2007; Sass, 33, started with the department in January 2006.

West St. Paul Police Chief Bud Shaver said an internal investigation has concluded, but that he could not comment on discipline against the officers until an appeal process has expired.

Nick Ferraro can be reached at 651-228-2173. Follow him at twitter.com/NFerraroPiPress.