Wichita officer attacked, injured during child-abuse investigation

A Wichita police officer was hospitalized with serious injuries Thursday after being punched in the head multiple times by a 33-year-old suspect during a child abuse investigation, police said in a news release.

The news release did not identify the suspect, who was arrested, or the officer, who is expected to survive.

The incident started around 4:30 p.m. at a home in the 1000 block of 54th Street South, near 55th and Seneca in south Wichita, where officers came in contact with the 33-year-old while following up on a child-abuse case.

“The man immediately became aggressive and punched one of the officers in the head,” police said in the release. “As officers attempted to detain him, they called for additional units. During the struggle, the suspect struck the officer multiple times in the head before he was eventually subdued and taken into custody.”

Police removed a child from the home and placed the child in protective custody following the arrest.

“Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the community, and I’m proud of their courage and professionalism,” Chief Joe Sullivan said in the news release. “We are glad the injured officer is expected to be okay, but let me be clear: Assaulting a police officer is a serious crime and will not be tolerated. We will pursue full accountability for this violent attack.”