Nov. 01--MIDWEST CITY -- The assistant police chief was cut by a butcher knife Monday when he and another officer intervened in a domestic dispute and tried to make an arrest.
Assistant Chief Sid Porter and Sgt. Jerry Githens were on their way home from work when they both saw a man choking a woman who was holding a child at Parkwoods Apartments in the 8400 block of E Reno.
The man, later identified as Jesse John Rocha, 31, spotted the officers arriving and ran into an apartment, police said.
The officers followed. Githens went to the front door, and Porter to the back.
Rocha came out onto the back patio door of the apartment holding a 2-year-old and infant by their necks in each arm, police said. Porter ordered Rocha to let go of the children, and he tried to take Rocha into custody.
Rocha pushed Porter, police said. Porter lost his balance. On the ground next to him in the backyard was a dishwasher rack loaded with several knives, including a butcher knife. The blades were pointing up, and when Porter fell, his right leg was impaled by a large knife.
Porter was taken by ambulance to Midwest Regional Medical Center. His injuries did not appear to be life threatening, police said.
"This is one of those situations where you don't have a choice but to intercede. We are very lucky Chief Porter was not injured more severely, and it proves again how dangerous our job can be whether you are on or off the clock," Police Chief Brandon Clabes said.
None of the children were injured in the dispute. The woman, identified only as Rocha's 27-year-old girlfriend, was treated and released at the scene.
Rocha was held on multiple complaints, including domestic abuse by strangulation, domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor, and assault on a police officer. Bond has not yet been set.
Copyright 2011 - The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City
