A Cabool man faces a felony assault charge after assaulting a Cabool Police Department officer Sunday, authorities said.
Randy L. Hale, 34, of Cabool, is charged with felony second-degree assault – special victim, along with misdemeanors of resisting arrest, peace disturbance, second-degree property damage and second-degree trespassing.
According to a report, a Cabool officer answered a call to assist another colleague in dealing with a drunk man who had caused damage and was refusing to leave a Zimmerman Street residence.
Upon arrival, contact was made with the man – Hale – who was sitting on the front porch with his head in his hands, but he was all but unresponsive to questions. The person who called the police reportedly then came out of the house, and Hale shoved an officer away from him and stood up.
The officer drew his taser and flashlight and pointed them at Hale, but he became uncooperative and challenged the lawman, according to a report. The officer deployed his taser, but it had no effect on Hale, who became more agitated and yelled profanities and ran away, hiding behind a tree in the yard, authorities said.
After Hale reportedly made an advance toward an officer and was told to back off, he fled on foot. The officer dropped his spent taser and pursued, tackling Hale on the roadway. After the two exchanged punches and the suspect attempted to choke the officer, Hale ran again, leaving one boot behind, according to a report.
Officers located Hale lying on the ground near a trailer in a wooded area. He was arrested and taken to the Texas County Jail.
The officer involved in the scuffle sustained cuts and bruises and was taken to Texas County Memorial Hospital for observation.