May 18--CLAREMORE -- A Claremore police officer is still recovering this morning after he was injured last Friday while in pursuit of a juvenile suspect.
According to Claremore Chief of Police Stan Brown, officers responded to a call for assistance with an 11-year-old male suspect, exhibiting behavioral problems, around 7:30 p.m. on May 13.
Once officers arrived at the scene, the suspect fled on foot and an unnamed Claremore officer engaged pursuit, Brown said.
During the chase, the suspect purportedly threw rocks at the pursuing officer, none of which struck him, but in avoiding being hit, the officer stumbled, fell, and struck his head. He was knocked unconscious and causing a large, gaping wound on his head, Brown said.
"Assisting officers found the wounded man, unconscious and bleeding profusely from the head," Chief Brown said. "They then called for emergency medical assistance who arrived at the scene and did an initial assessment before transported by Life Flight to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, where he was admitted in unknown condition."
While this was unfolding, other officers caught up with and apprehended the juvenile suspect who was placed in juvenile detention in Craig County by order of Judge Stephen R. Pazzo, Brown said.
"As for the officer, the hospital conducted a CT scan to determine he did not have a fractured skull, which was a major concern," Brown said, "but he was suffering from a concussion, for which he received treatment and was eventually released."
The officer is still recovering from his injuries and will return to duty as his health allows.
