A Denver sheriff's deputy was fired after supervisors determined he shoved an inmate into a wall, slammed the inmate's head into a sharp corner and cut him, then kicked the man in the face while he was kneeling and handcuffed.

Deputy Safety Manager Mary Mala testa fired Steven Koehler as of Dec. 12 for a series of alleged assaults March 22 on inmate Robert Duran, according to documents released Thursday by Denver's Career Service Hearing Office.

The dismissal notice said Koehler was careless in performance of his duties, failed to follow rules and lied to supervisors or falsified documents.

Koehler's attorney, Brian Reynolds, has filed an appeal, maintaining that his client's actions were justified given the circumstances and in keeping with his training.

Malatesta and Reynolds could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

The alleged assaults on Duran, 43, who was arrested March 22 on two counts of assault, were partially witnessed by two other deputies, and part was captured on video at the Denver City Jail. Koehler was placed on paid administrative leave shortly after the incident.

Duran has a lengthy criminal history dating back 20 years, including five arrests for resisting police; 10 assaults, including first-degree assault; drug-dealing charges; and numerous alcohol-related offenses, according to Colorado Bureau of Investigation records.

Koehler has been a deputy since 2000.