WATERBURY–An off-duty correction officer was arrested and charged after assaulting a mailman. On Saturday around 4:30 p.m. police arrested Daniel Alvarado...

WATERBURY--An off-duty correction officer was arrested and charged after assaulting a mailman.

On Saturday around 4:30 p.m. police arrested Daniel Alvarado, 43, at his home on Newridge Avenue in Waterbury.

According to police, when officers arrived they found the 24-year-old mailman lying on the ground with a large bruise above his eyebrow.

The investigation revealed that the mailman was reportedly urinating next to Alvarado's side yard when Alvarado came out to confront him. Alvarado then pulled out a pistol and put it up to the mailman's stomach.

The two began to argue, and then Alvarado called his girlfriend from the home to come and take his gun back inside, which she did.

At that point, police say Alvarado began to hit the victim numerous times in the face and head, eventually knocking him to the ground, at which point he began smashing the victim's face into the pavement while screaming racist remarks about the victim, who is black according to witnesses.

"He really, really hurt this guy. So bad," described a witness, who asked to remain anonymous. "All he kept saying was 'I apologize, I'm sorry, what did I do wrong?' All the poor kid was doing was apologizing to this guy. He still wouldn't let him go. He literally wanted to kill him. Just punching the mailman and racial words. At the same time the guy is like bleeding screaming for help."

The victim was taken to the hospital with injuries that aren't considered life-threatening, and Alvarado was taken into custody.

Alvarado is being charged with assault second degree with a firearm, reckless endangerment, carrying a firearm while intoxicated and bigotry second degree.

Alvarado was placed on administrative leave with pay on Monday while the case is ongoing. He has been employed with the department since 2000, making a salary of approximately $71,000 per year at the Bridgeport Correctional Center. He is a correctional lieutenant, according to the department, which is a supervisor position.