The man who saved the life of a Victoria police officer will likely receive special recognition for his actions.
The officer, a constable who has worked at VicPD for two years, was investigating the theft of a chocolate bar from the 7-Eleven in the Falls condominium building in the 800 block of Douglas Street at about 9:15 a.m. on Monday.
When the lone officer left the convenience store, a man walking down the sidewalk drew a knife and attacked her.
Police said the man was not related to the theft investigation, and the attack was unprovoked.
The two fought on the sidewalk and the officer was taken down, with the attacker on top of her. The attacker stabbed the officer in the neck. She also received cuts to her hands as she attempted to defend herself
Blair Bater, driving northbound on Douglas Street, witnessed the attack. He stopped his car and pulled the man off the officer.
A member of the Downtown Victoria Business Association’s street cleaning crew also jumped in to help the officer and to assist in restraining the attacker. Using the officer’s handcuffs, Bater restrained the suspect until more police arrived.
“There have been some reports about (the suspect’s) unhappiness with police,” said Sgt. Grant Hamilton about the 57-year-old suspect.
The injured officer was rushed to hospital. Her injuries are not life-threatening, Hamilton said.
He said Bater’s actions are commendable.
“His actions and the assistance he gave came at the right time and he most likely saved her life,” Hamilton said.
“We will recognize him, I think, for his quick actions.
“Obviously (this) affects all of us (police). We are all very close. ... This is just a wake-up call to the reality” of crime in Victoria.
Major crime detectives and forensic identification officers investigated the scene and are watching video surveillance footage from the area to pin down the sequence of events. The knife used in the attack was recovered.
Officers are interviewing several witnesses and the injured officer, whose family was with her in hospital. The officers name was not released by the News’ deadline Monday.
The suspect was arrested and in police custrody.
Hamilton said police could consider charges of assault causing bodily harm or attempted murder against the man.
ecardone@vicnews.com