A 63-year-old man faces multiple charges after he allegedly tried to stab a Medford, OR, police officer with a heroin needle during a DUII arrest, reports the Mail Tribune.
Burkell Arthur Kelley was charged with attempted second-degree assault, unlawful possession of heroin, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, and resisting arrest.
On April 10, an off-duty Medford police officer saw Kelley acting strangely while driving, including hitting the curb and stopping during green lights, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by police.
The officer approached Kelley's vehicle and allegedly saw a loaded syringe and a spoon. The officer and an on-duty officer who arrived as backup both tried to remove Kelley from the car, but he fought back.
During the encounter, Kelley allegedly grabbed the fully loaded syringe from the center console area and aimed it at the off-duty officer's arm. Kelley allegedly dropped the syringe after being stunned with a TASER. The officers were able to pull him from the vehicle, but Kelley continued to fight while being taken into custody, the affidavit said.
The contents of the syringe were tested and were confirmed to be heroin, the affidavit said.
The case is pending in Jackson County Circuit Court.
