Published: July 08, 2009 08:21 am      

Drunk man takes swing at officer

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

A heavily intoxicated man allegedly took a swing at a Williamsburg police officer on the July 4th holiday.

According to police, at around 9:35 p.m. Saturday, Williamsburg Officer Shawn Jackson responded to the Brush Arbor Apartments after receiving a call that a man under the influence had allegedly assaulted a 9-year-old girl who lived in the same apartment complex.

Jackson said Jack Collett, 53, was “so out of it” that he was staggering around the complex and allegedly slapped the child on the back, causing a red welt.

Jackson found Collett outside the apartment complex, holding a drinking glass containing liquor.

“He had a glass in his hand, and what I tried to do quietly was remove the glass from his hand so he could not use it as a weapon,” Jackson said. When he went to take the glass, Jackson said Collett “did not even look to see who I was or anything, ... he just came up swinging because somebody took his glass of liquor.”

The officer blocked and partially deflected the strike, but it still grazed the side of Jackson’s head.

Collett allegedly refused to comply with the officer’s demands, and Jackson said he had to take Collett to the ground with a strike to the shoulder joint and physically restrain him until other officers arrived.

WPD Chief Wayne Bird, Captain Eddie Cain and Sgt. Brad Boyd all responded to the scene. Bird collected several witness statements and Boyd arrested Collett, who was charged with third-degree assault of a police officer, fourth-degree assault for striking the child, resisting arrest, and alcohol intoxication. He was taken to the Whitley County Jail.

Jackson did not receive any injuries requiring medical treatment.