By Suzie Ziegler
WASHINGTON — A transient man who came to the aid of a police officer Thursday is being hailed a local hero.
The officer sustained non-life threatening wounds after another homeless man stabbed him in the head with scissors, reported News4.
But it could have been much worse.
John Burrows, the man who intervened, was thanked by police chief Peter Newsham at a news conference.
“It’s very, very kind — very heroic,” Newsham said.
Burrows told News4 reporters that he had previously met the officer and was just doing the right thing.
“I grabbed the guy’s arm and me and the cop together got him under control so he couldn’t stab him no more,” he said in an interview. “He got arrested, the cop went to the hospital and I guess I’m like a little hero.”
Burrows said he was angry when he saw the other man attacking the officer.
“I was really mad at the guy, for just stabbing him for no reason,” Burrows said. “They’re my cops. This is my city and I don’t want you stabbing them.”
The suspect, a 61-year-old man, was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill an officer. Investigators haven’t been able to find a motive at this time. There was no indication the man was linked to racial justice protests downtown or had a bias against police, according to News4.
A gofundme for Burrows has been set up by the D.C. Department of Human Services.