Things went horribly wrong when a Baton Rouge police officer attempted to arrest a man for drug possession early Sunday morning.
During the arrest, alleged criminal Thomas Bennett attacked the officer with his own baton and even grabbed the officer’s gun, attempting to remove it from its holster, Daily Wire reported.
Thankfully, 56-year-old female passerby Vickie Williams-Tillman saw the attack from her car and immediately called police for assistance.
Then, risking her own life, Williams-Tillman jumped out of her car and onto the back of Bennett, say Baton Rouge police officials.
With the woman’s help, the officer escaped a potentially life-threatening situation and subdued Bennett until back-up officers arrived on the scene.
Here’s the Facebook post from Baton Rouge Police Department:
For a special #BRPDSalutes today we want to thank a very special lady.
Early this morning one of our officers performed a traffic stop just before 8 a.m. in the 8400 block of Harry Drive, finding drugs in the man’s vehicle.
Our officer tried to secure the man in handcuffs when the driver became aggressive.
The 28-year-old man, grabbed the officer’s baton and used it to repeatedly hit the officer in the head.
As the officer struggled with his assailant 56-year old, Vickie Williams-Tillman saw that our officer needed help.
Ms. Williams-Tillman immediately called for more police but then went so much further.
Risking her own safety she jumped out of her vehicle and onto the back of the 28-year old assailant. Ms. Williams-Tillman was able to help hold off the assailant until other officers arrived.
For going above and beyond in that moment to help our officer and possibly save his life we are forever grateful to you Ms. Vickie!
For showing so much love and concern for one of our officers BRPD Salutes you!
In the picture below is Trenisha Jackson with Ms. Vickie Williams-Tillman.
As Nola.com reports, Bennett was found sleeping in a parked car with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia before the arrest.
He’s now facing charges of “aggravated battery, disarming a police officer, resisting an officer with violence, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.”
Thomas Bennett
More from Cathy Cornelison at Liftable:
The city held a press conference to honor Tillman for her heroic act.
The Baton Rouge mayor, Sharon Weston-Broome, said, “Vickie Williams-Tillman epitomizes the true Good Samaritan.
She reached out and offered a courageous and unconditional response to the officer. Ms. Williams-Tillman is a hero and demonstrates the true meaning of loving God and loving your neighbor.”
Chief Carl Dabadie also shared at the press conference. “I can’t think…very many people on one hand that would have not just rode by or maybe made a phone call to 911. But Mrs. Tillman went above and beyond.”
Tillman was asked to say a few words but was very hesitant as she approached the microphone.
She saw Officer Amie standing near by and motioned for him to come up there with her.
Arm in arm, they shared this moment together.
“I am just glad that he’s here,” she said with tears in her eyes. “He was in a struggle. He needed help. I said ‘I can’t leave him. I looked in his eyes, and he looked back at me.”
Tillman wasn’t worried about herself, she was only concerned for the police officer. “Always had a soft heart for Baton Rouge Police,” she shared. “Always had a soft heart.”
Amie will always be grateful for this special woman who valued his well-being first over her own.
It is so uplifting to see an officer and a civilian working together to keep our communities safe!
Kudos to this wonderful woman- she is a HERO!
Stay safe out there BLUE and always know that us patriots have your six!
God Bless.