MWC Officer Injured With Knife While Trying To Arrest Suspect

Xin Xin Liu, News9.com

MIDWEST CITY – A Midwest City police officer was injured with a butcher knife when he was trying to arrest a man in connection with a domestic dispute Monday afternoon.

Police said Assistant Chief Sid Porter fell on a dishwasher rack loaded with knives when he was trying to arrest the suspect, 31-year-old Jesse John Rocha. Porter was transported to the Midwest Regional Medical Center to be treated for his injuries. Police said his injuries do not appear to be life threatening at this point.

The incident happened at around 5:15 p.m. According to Midwest City Police Department, Chief Porter, along with Sergeant Jerry Gitthens, were on their way home from work when they came across a violent domestic dispute between a man and a woman at the Parkwoods Apartments, located in the 8400 block of East Reno Avenue.

According to the police report, Sgt. Gitthens was in his take-home patrol car at the time and notified 911 of the domestic dispute. The officers then turned into the apartment complex to intervene.

As the officers arrived, police said Rocha, the suspect, was choking his girlfriend while she was holding a five-year-old girl. The victim became unconscious and fell to the ground with the child.

Police said Rocha fled on foot to his apartment when he saw the officers. Sgt. Gitthens was able to secure the front of the apartment while Porter secured the back. That's when Rocha burst from the back patio door holding a 2-year-old and an infant child by their necks in each arm, according to the police report.

According to police, Porter identified himself as a police officer and ordered Rocha to drop the children. Rocha then pushed Porter when he tried to arrest him.

Police said Porter lost his balance and fell on a dishwasher rack in the backyard, which was loaded with several knives, including a butcher knife. The blades were pointing up and as Porter fell, his right leg was impaled on the large knife.

Sgt. Gitthens was able to get to the backyard in time and take the suspect into custody, according to police.

Police said the children were not injured. The suspect's girlfriend was treated and released at the scene.

"This is one of those situations where you don't have a choice but to intercede. We are very lucky Chief Porter was not injured more severely and it proves again how dangerous our job can be whether you are on or off the clock," Chief Brandon Clabes said.

According to the police report, Rocha is being charged with domestic abuse by strangulation, domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor child, and assault on a police officer. He is being held without bond and will have to appear before a district judge at Oklahoma County.