Assault puts a police officer on the bench
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, January 4th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News Featured Stories
PENDLETON – Pendleton Police Chief Chuck Byram says the officer who was assaulted last week was injured more seriously than originally thought. Officer Marcus Williams suffered a broken thumb and will be out for four to eight weeks.
“We’re disappointed in the individual’s actions causing that significant injury,” Byram said. “Our officer is going to be off the street for a while and we’ve got to plug that hole with somebody.”
Plugging the hole is harder than normal. In addition to having officers still in training, Byram said the department has been hit with an influenza outbreak. He wishes Williams will have a smooth road to a full recovery.
The assault occurred on Dec. 28. An employee at the Southgate Sinclair station reported a man he knew left the store without paying for merchandise. Police responded.
Less than 10 minutes after the report was filed, officers located Eddie Scott, 26, of Hermiston walking in the parking lot of the Hailey Place Apartments on Southwest 30th Street. When the officers identified themselves and told Scott they were placing him under arrest for the theft he chose not to surrender.
“Scott resisted the officers’ attempts to place him in custody and, at one point, punched one of the officers in the face,” Byram stated at the time. “A Taser was deployed and Scott was taken into custody.”
Byram said it was after the arrest that Williams sought medical attention for his injured thumb. The suspect is in Umatilla County Jail, being held on a felony arrest warrant and a charge of aggravated assault against a public safety officer.
