By Kim Minugh
kminugh@sacbee.com
A Sacramento police officer was rendered unconscious Friday afternoon after a suspect punched him in the face, according to authorities.
A second officer was able to take the suspect into custody after the knockout punch. That officer suffered an injury to his foot, which might have been broken, said police spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong.
The incident began when officers, responding to a 911 hang-up call, went to a home on the 2200 block of Florin Road shortly after 4:30 p.m., according to a police summary.
Officers found a "drunken family disturbance" and witnessed a man holding his wife, Leong said.
An officer tried to detain the man, who then punched the officer in the face, Leong said. As the officer fell, another officer stepped in and held the suspect down until more officers arrived.
While detaining the suspect, that officer hurt his foot, Leong said.
Both officers were transported to the UC Davis Medical Center for treatment. Leong described the punched officer's injuries as fairly significant.
The male suspect, later identified as 55-year-old Eugene Harris, was arrested and booked on suspicion of battery on an officer, resisting police and violating the terms of his probation, all felonies, according to Sacramento County Main Jail booking records.
He is being held in lieu of $90,000 bail, records show.
His wife, identified as 54-year-old Dorsine Tarver, was arrested on suspicion of a domestic violence-related charge, Leong said. She has since been released from jail, according to booking records.
Leong said police are concerned about a significant increase in assaults on officers seen during recent years.
Call The Bee's Kim Minugh, (916) 321-1038.
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