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Deputy stabs man who tried to disarm him

The Sacramento Bee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A motorist who allegedly grabbed for a deputy’s pistol and was stabbed by the officer, who used a knife from his utility belt, is expected to be charged with multiple offenses.

The suspect was identified Friday as Eddie Hilliard, 58, of Herald. He was continuing to receive treatment and is expected to survive, said Sacramento County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Tim Curran.

When he is released from the hospital, he will be booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of resisting arrest by means of violence, attempting to take an officer’s firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property and possession of a switchblade knife.

The incident began at 10:50 p.m. Thursday when the 27-year-old Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputy, a six-year veteran, stopped a car near 44th Street and Perry Avenue in the Fruitridge area. Inside the vehicle was Hilliard, the driver, and two women passengers, ages 53 and 41.

The deputy, who was not identified by the department, asked the driver to step behind the car. Hilliard complied, but while he was behind the car, he attacked the deputy, a sheriff’s department press release states.

As the two struggled, the deputy felt the man grab his handgun in an attempt to remove it from its holster, the release states. Fighting to keep possession of his gun with one hand, the deputy drew a knife from his belt and with his free hand and stabbed his attacker.

Hilliard, wounded in the upper body, stopped fighting and was handcuffed by the male deputy. Paramedics were summoned and took the suspect to UC Davis Medical Center.

The deputy was unhurt. He was placed on paid administrative leave pending investigation of the incident by the sheriff’s department homicide and internal affairs units as well as the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies are authorized to carry knives.

Copyright 2009 Sacramento Bee

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