A nearly 17-year veteran of the St. Joseph County Police Department was arrested early Saturday for domestic battery.

St. Joseph County police were called to the 63000 block of Thorn Road in North Liberty just after midnight Saturday, according to a release issued by the St. Joseph County Police Department.

When police arrived, they discovered 50-year-old St. Joseph County police officer Lonny Foresman, who they say was "involved in an altercation with family members."

Foresman allegedly pushed a family member to the ground, according to charging documents. He also allegedly was holding a gun during portions of the confrontation with family members, threatening to harm them and himself.

Formal charges were filed Saturday afternoon. According to information provided by the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office, Foresman has been charged with intimidation, a Level 5 felony; a second count of intimidation, a Level 6 felony; and domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor.

The investigation reportedly has been turned over to the Special Victims Unit. As the investigation moves forward, Foresman has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is county policy.

Foresman began as a St. Joseph County merit officer in August 2001 and is currently a corporal. He was injured Jan. 5, when a semitrailer hit him while he was walking on State Road 2. Since that time, he was placed on modified duty with the training division.