• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Bystanders jump in to assist San Francisco officer attacked by homeless man

The suspect was reportedly making racially motivated threats when he attacked the officer who is of Asian descent

San Francisco officer

(Twitter)

June 1, 2021
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

SAN FRANCISCO — A group of bystanders came to the aid of a San Francisco police officer on Friday as she was attacked in the city’s Chinatown area, according to reports.

The officer was responding to a call about a man making racially motivated threats. She was then attacked by the individual as she initiated contact. Gerardo Contreras, 33, was identified as the attacker, ABC 7 News reported. It was unclear if the officer, who is of Asian descent, was attacked due to her race, profession, or another reason.

Surveillance video shows the officer arriving and providing the individual with directions. Initially, he appears compliant, but then things change. She asked him if he had any weapons in his possession—a standard question prior to a cursory pat down—and the man becomes violent.

1/2: Surveillance video captures man attacking @SFPD officer as she tries to see why he was allegedly ranting at Asian people near Clay & Kearny. Bystanders helped pull him off her until backup arrived. 📹: Asian Dawn. https://t.co/1ytjEWDvDF pic.twitter.com/Y1pmRH3H48

— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) May 30, 2021

The suspect appears to overpower the officer and wrestles her to the ground. Fortunately, bystanders come to her aid as they rush in to assist with the combative subject, Fox News reported.

“He’s a big guy, he was not letting go. He had a death grip on her. And he was not letting go,” says Michael Waldorf, who had just finished eating dinner with his family when he jumped in to help, according to ABC 7. “I saw it as an emergency. She needed our help and she needed it right away.”

With the assistance of several bystanders, the officer was able to regain control and backup officers quickly arrived on scene.

The unidentified officer suffered a bloody nose and minor injuries, ABC 7 reported. Police have yet to say whether it will be viewed as a hate crime as the investigation continues.

The San Francisco Police Officers Association tweeted their appreciation for the bystanders who jumped in to help the officer.

“We’ve seen a rise in violent attacks by homeless individuals, including attacks on police officers,” the association wrote. “We are deeply grateful to these citizens who rushed to our officer’s aide. Our staffing shortage left this officer working alone instead of with a partner.”

Community activist Max Leong commented on the suspect, according to Fox. 

“He’s been kind of a fixture here in San Francisco Chinatown,” Leong said. “It speaks to the fact more services need to be provided for the mentally ill.”


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Asian officerracially motivated threatsSan FranciscoSan Francisco Police DepartmentSan Francisco Police Officers AssociationSFPD
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Taravel Police Station

On Duty Shopping Is Not Recommended

June 5, 2023
long commute home

Long Commute Home

May 6, 2023

Man killed after confronting shoplifter at San Francisco Home Depot

April 19, 2023
Bob Lee

Murder suspect arrested in stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee

April 13, 2023
Bob Lee

Cash App founder ‘Crazy Bob’ stabbed to death in San Francisco

April 6, 2023
Moscone Center

The Convention Center Confusion

March 16, 2023
Load More

Latest Articles

Alejandro Mayorkas

Lawmaker files impeachment against head of Homeland Security over border crisis

June 8, 2023
vile consequences

More Vile Consequences of Not Enforcing the Laws Equally

June 8, 2023
Wilson Chavis

Funeral company owner fatally shoots pallbearer during burial service over prior business dispute

June 8, 2023
Ivori H Howard

Woman crawls beneath security fence at Houston airport, brings operations to a standstill

June 8, 2023
Larry Bryant

Georgia man sentenced to 20 years in prison for shooting at state troopers after crashing car during pursuit

June 8, 2023
Adam Fravel

Man charged with murder two months after mother of his children mysteriously vanished

June 8, 2023
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com