Deputy assaulted during traffic stop

Deputy assaulted during traffic stop

Lawrenceburg Now

A deputy who was serving an outstanding warrant during a traffic stop last week was assaulted by the man he was attempting to arrest.

Reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department show that the deputy initiated a traffic stop in the vicinity of Highway 43 and Prosser Road at 8:43 p.m. Monday. Approaching the vehicle he detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

A warrants check on the vehicle occupants revealed that Bobby Raymond Lovell, a thirty-five year old man who was reportedly homeless, had an outstanding violation of probation warrant.

The officer reports that as he attempted to handcuff Lovell, he fled on foot toward a wooded area and he gave pursuit. When he ignored several commands to stop, the officer discharged his taser. Due to the fact that Lovell was wearing baggie clothing, the taser had no effect.

The officer continued the pursuit, eventually taking him to the ground. He reports that as he was trying to cuff Lovell, he punched him in the head twice. Once the cuffs were on, he continued to struggle and resist arrest and spat in the officer’s face.

In order to get the door of the patrol car closed, reports indicate that another officer was forced to tase Lovell. He was placed in the back of a patrol car and began to kick about with enough force to warp one of the doors. He also attempted to kick officers.

Lovell was transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center where he was booked on the probation violation charge as well as charges of aggravated assault of a police officer, resisting arrest, vandalism, and evading arrest.