Tacoma officer stabbed in the face while handling a deceased person call

A Tacoma police officer was stabbed in the face Friday while handling a call at an apartment complex.

Several officers were assisting after a person was found deceased in their home at the Winthrop apartments in the 770 block of Commerce Street.

A Pierce County medical examiner had already loaded the body into the vehicle when it was discovered that the vehicle wouldn’t start.

While waiting for jumper cables, two officers stood outside the apartment building.

The 27-year-old defendant left the building then suddenly charged an officer, punching him three times on the side of the face before stabbing him in the cheek, according to court documents.

The officer who was attacked ducked and ran behind a nearby car for cover.

The second officer grabbed the attacker and took him into custody.

A knife with a 4-inch blade was allegedly found on the ground near the attacker.

The officer suffered a 1-inch stab wound below his right cheek bone, records say.

On Monday, the defendant pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault with a deadly weapon enhancement and a law enforcement aggravating factor.

He was ordered held without bail and will undergo a mental health competency evaluation at Pierce County Jail.

This story was originally published December 17, 2019 at 9:26 AM.