An Alabama detective, who asked to remain anonymous, said he didn’t use force after being pistol-whipped with his own gun by an attacker because he didn’t want to be accused of killing an unarmed man.
READ: Ex-University Officer In Sam DuBose Shooting Death Released On Bail
“A lot of officers are being too cautious because of what’s going on in the media,” the officer told CNN. “I hesitated because I didn’t want to be in the media like I am right now.”
The traffic stop escalated into a physical altercation that sent the Detective at UAB hospital. pic.twitter.com/d1IhLrCSV1
— Kelvin Reynolds (@Fox6Kelvin) August 8, 2015
Details on how the attacker was able to retrieve the gun from the six-year veteran and knocking him unconscious are still sketchy, however, the detective said out of fear of being the latest officer in the headline, he didn’t use force.
“We don’t want to be in the media,” he said. “It’s hard times right now for us.”
READ: The Arlington Police Officer Who Killed Christian Taylor Has Been Fired
According to reports, the incident occurred last Friday when the detective was on his way to interview a witness for a robbery and saw a car driving erratically.
“He calls for backup and tells the man to stay in the car, but he didn’t,” Heath Boackle, a sergeant with the Birmingham Police Department said. “The last thing the officer remembers is getting sucker-punched in a parking lot. The next thing, he’s waking up in a hospital bed with staples in his head.”
While the detective called for back up, the suspect Janard Cunningham, 34, allegedly got out of the car, became aggressive and questioned why he’d been pulled over. He then retrieved the detective’s weapon and pistol-whipped him.
READ: Footage Released of Ralkina Jones’ Final Day In Jail Before Her Death
The officer suffered several lacerations to his head and face, but is expected to make a full recovery. Cunningham is being charged with attempted murder and being held without bond.