Phoenix police officer hospitalized for broken bone, facial injuries after being attacked on duty

PHOENIX — A police officer was hospitalized due to various injuries sustained during a fight investigation on Friday, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

The officer, who is part of the South Mountain Precinct, responded to calls of a man banging on the glass outside a business in the area of 18th Street and Southern Avenue around 1:15 p.m.

The suspect, later identified as 51-year-old Joseph Huggins, has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.

How was Phoenix police officer hospitalized?

The suspect punched her in the face and she fell to the ground, according to Sgt. Brian Bower.

“During that tussle, during that fight, she fell to the ground,” Bower said during a news conference. “We don’t have confirmation on exactly how she broke her leg, but it was sometime during this very active fight.”

Paramedics took the injured officer to the hospital, suffering from a broken nose and a broken ankle. She was released Saturday afternoon and continues to recover at home.

Details about suspect who left Phoenix police officer hospitalized

Police investigated surveillance footage from nearby businesses as well as the officer’s body-warn camera to learn more details about how she was injured.

Early reports indicate the officer started talking to the man, but he was not cooperating and attempted to leave. While trying to stop the man from leaving the scene, the man fought back, striking the officer in the face, which caused her to fall on the ground.

Several people witnessed the suspect assaulting her and called 911.

The adult male suspect left the scene after the assault, but witnesses helped police track him down and he was arrested without further incident, police said.

“The officer is a young officer within the precinct. She is highly motivated and does a tremendous job,” Cmdr. Rick Leyvas said at the conference. “I would ask the community to send their prayers and keep her in mind and she continues her recovery.”

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