HUDSON, Ohio -- Police officer David Devore just didn't appreciate John Bell III's "whimsical sense of humor."

The Hudson police officer is facing a lawsuit from an improper traffic stop that was caught on tape, NewsChannel5 reprted.

When Bell took digital pictures on Feb. 6 of Devore's police cruiser stuck in the mud and being towed out of a ditch after an errant U-turn, Devore got angry.

Dashboard cameras show the confrontation between Devore and Bell.

"Camera and film now. I'm not going to ask you again. I'll give you the count of three or I can make your life a living hell. You made the decision, I'll give you that choice," Devore said on tape.

He took the memory card from Bell's digital camera and erased the images.

The officer was suspended for erasing the images.

Now the two are headed for court, with Bell suing Devore and the city for more than $25,000 in punitive damages, claiming his civil rights were violated because he was stopped without probable cause, wrongfully detained, verbally abused and deprived of his property.

Why did Bell, 38, take the pictures?

"His motivation was his whimsical sense of humor," attorney Dean Hoover said.

Jody Roberts, communications manager, said the city and Devore agreed that he did not handle the situation properly. But Roberts said Bell's civil rights were not violated.

Bell asked for $500,000 and new police department procedures, including psychological testing of officers, to settle the complaint. The city offered $1,000.

Devore served a one-day suspension without pay on Feb. 15. He also received counseling and was told his future traffic stops would be monitored.

"His behavior was outrageous," Hoover said of Devore. "A day off without pay was a rap on the wrist."