A Wichita police officer was injured Thursday afternoon while attempting to take a suspect into custody during a child abuse investigation.
Around 4:30 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 1000 block of 54th Street South as part of a follow-up on a child abuse case. Upon arrival, they contacted a man, 33, at the home.
The man immediately became aggressive and punched one of the officers in the head. As officers attempted to detain him, they called for additional units. During the struggle, the suspect struck the officer multiple times in the head before he was eventually subdued and taken into custody.
The injured officer was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries but is expected to recover. The suspect was booked into the Sedgewick County Jail for Felony Battery of a law enforcement officer and Felony resist.
A child at the residence was taken into police protective custody in connection with the original child abuse investigation.
Police Chief Joe Sullivan said, “Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the community, and I’m proud of their courage and professionalism. We are glad the injured officer is expected to be okay, but let me be clear: Assaulting a police officer is a serious crime and will not be tolerated. We will pursue full accountability for this violent attack.”