SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Wichita police officer was seriously injured Thursday afternoon while attempting to take a suspect into custody during a child abuse investigation, according to a media release.
Around 4:30 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 1000 block of 54th Street South in Wichita as part of a follow-up on a child abuse case, according to a media release. Upon arrival, officers contacted a suspect, identified from booking records, as 33-year-old Levi J. Bates at the home.
Bates immediately became aggressive and punched one of the officers in the head. As officers attempted to detain him, they called for additional units. During the struggle, Bates struck the officer multiple times in the head before he was eventually subdued and taken into custody.
The injured officer was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries but is expected to recover. Bates was booked into the Sedgewick County Jail on requested charges of Felony Battery of a law enforcement officer and Felony resist.
A child at the residence was taken into police protective custody in connection with the original child abuse investigation.
Police Chief Joe Sullivan said, “Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the community, and I’m proud of their courage and professionalism. We are glad the injured officer is expected to be okay, but let me be clear: Assaulting a police officer is a serious crime and will not be tolerated. We will pursue full accountability for this violent attack.”