Years later, Milwaukee police officer who nearly lost his job over Frank Jude beating promoted to sergeant

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- He nearly lost his job for not stopping fellow Milwaukee police officers from brutally beating Frank Jude a decade ago. On Thursday, May 21st, that officer was promoted to sergeant.

Frank Jude was brutally beaten outside a party in Bay View during the early morning hours of October 24th, 2004.

Following a state trial that ended with the jury acquitting the three police officers charged, a federal investigation led to plea agreements with three police officers and the indictment of five police officers, including the three who were acquitted in state court. Before trial, one of these five pleaded guilty. The federal jury acquitted one of the remaining police officers and the three police officers who were acquitted in state court were convicted in federal court.

The case was the biggest against the Milwaukee Police Department in 25 years.

Bradley Blum was there the night Jude was beaten. Blum was never criminally charged, but he was initially fired after his boss said he refused to step in to help stop his fellow officers from beating Jude.

He fought to get his job back, and he won.

At the time, the Fire and Police Commission handed down a suspension instead.

Now, nearly 11 years later, Blum has been promoted by the Fire and Police Commission to serve as sergeant within the Milwaukee Police Department.

Jude's former attorney, Jonathan Safran was present as the Fire and Police Commission promoted Blum Thursday evening. He says the promotion sends the wrong message.

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn disagrees.

"The past 10 years, he's performed appropriately and well," Chief Flynn said.

Flynn says Blum was never indicted, despite the fact that prosecutors said Blum was the embodiment of a Milwaukee Police Department "code of silence." Testifying during Jude's civil case, he invoked his Fifth Amendment right for every question.

Sgt. Blum had little to say as he exited the Fire and Police Commission hearing Thursday.

"I appreciate the chance to serve the city," Sgt. Blum said.

Three former Milwaukee police officers remain in federal prison as a result of the Frank Jude beating.

Jude was eventually awarded $2 million in a civil rights suit.