Officer down callout a false alarm

An officer down callout over dispatch Monday morning ended up being a false alarm resulting a Graham man facing a resisting arrest charge.

On June 24, Graham Police Department Sergeant Pedro Marrufo observed John Brandon Headrick, 39 of Graham, walking  in the parking lot of a business located at 1101 Fourth St. According to a press release, Marrufo knew Headrick had an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Graham Municipal Court.

Marrufo made contact with Headrick in the parking lot and informed him of the warrant. The suspect then began arguing with the sergeant and attempted to place space between him and the officer. Marrufo attempted to place a hand on Headrick’s elbow to escort him to the front of the patrol vehicle when the suspect slapped away the officer’s hand.

The officer then grabbed Headrick and took him to the ground and was able to place him in handcuffs.

“It is my understanding that while Sergeant Marrufo and Headrick were on the ground, a concerned citizen called the Young County Dispatch and advised dispatch that an officer was on the ground with someone having an altercation,” GPD Chief Brent Bullock wrote. “At this time, Young County Dispatch put out a call on the radio of an ‘officer down.’ While Sergeant Marrufo was gaining compliance from Headrick was placing him into handcuffs, he heard the radio transmission from dispatch. He advised dispatch that he was alright and Headrick was in custody.”

For the rest of the story, see the Saturday, June 29 edition of The Graham Leader.