Police ID suspect after officer knocked unconscious during Midvale traffic stop

Ryan Jacob Heilman. Photo courtesy: Salt Lake County. Map: Google Maps

MIDVALE, Utah, Feb. 28, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Unified Police officials have identified a suspect they say knocked an officer unconscious with a headbutt during a traffic stop in Midvale.

Ryan Jacob Heilman, 25, has been booked into jail for assault on a police officer, failure to stop for an officer, interfering with an arresting officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and drug possession, the Unified Police Department said in a tweet.

UPD Sgt. Melody Gray told Gephardt Daily the incident occurred in the area of the Chelsea Park Apartments, at 7351 S. Frontage Road in Midvale, just before 10 a.m.

Gray said the officer attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle for an expired registration tag. The driver, later identified as Heilman, was evasive, and attempted to flee, but then stopped in a driveway.

When the officer approached the driver to handcuff Heilman, the man “reared back,” Gray said, and hit the officer with his head.

The officer’s head hit the concrete, and he was knocked unconscious briefly, Gray said, but came to quickly and was able to get up by himself.

Meanwhile, a citizen who had seen which direction the man fled followed him. Other responding officers were then able to apprehend Heilman.

Gray said it’s not clear why the man tried to flee. The vehicle does not appear to be stolen and Heilman only previously had a class C misdemeanor warrant. After being interviewed by detectives, he was taken into custody.

The officer was transported to an area hospital to be examined, and he appears to be in good shape, Gray said.

Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information is made available.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here