Phoenix police are praising a convenience store clerk and a security guard for helping to save the life of an officer who was attacked by a knife-wielding suspect this weekend.
The incident happened when police responded to a call early Sunday from the guard—identified as Jameel Kelewood—concerning a group of people trespassing in the business' parking lot, KPNX-TV reports. By the time an officer arrived, the group had dispersed, and a single suspect had entered the store.
In recently released body camera footage, an officer is seen escorting the suspect out of the store when the man pulls a knife and begins stabbing the officer twice in the neck. That's when Kelewood and a clerk jumped into action and took the suspect to the ground.
“Took him down, body slammed him," he told KPNX. Tried to hold him down, but he had some really good strength to be honest, so I had a good time wrestling with him."
Kelewood was able to detain the suspect until more officers reached the scene.
“I’m actually amazed that I didn’t get stabbed myself, seeing how the 6-inch blade penetrated the officer’s neck," he said.
The injured officer was rushed to the hospital in stable condition with serious but not life-threatening injuries. He is still in the hospital, and officials say he has a long recovery ahead.
“They saved our officer’s life that evening and their commitment to stopping this guy can’t be overstated," said Police Lt. James Hester about the actions of Kelewood and the clerk.
The suspect was arrested and faces multiple felony charges.
Kelewood admitted that he would like to be a police officer one day. He's glad that he was able to step up Sunday and help the officer in need.
“That day was a little different than a usual day," he said. "It was fun. I’m not going to lie. It was fun. I kind of do thrive on adrenaline.”
The attack was the second on Phoenix police officers in less than a month. Along with the body camera video from Sunday's incident, the department also released security camera footage of a shooting last month that left another officer wounded.
Officer Harold Boswell was working an off-duty shift as a security guard for a business March 29 when he investigated three suspects allegedly involved in armed robbery, KTAR-TM reports. As Boswell approached the suspects, he was shot multiple times.
Boswell was rushed to the hospital and is now recovering at home.
The shooting is under investigation.
