Two Franklin men rushed to help a police officer under attack by a "dangerous criminal" Saturday.
An officer spotted 41-year-old Charles Cole just after 3 p.m. on East Sixth Street while Franklin police were searching the area for a suspect who had just burglarized a Minnick Street home.
The officer was suspicious of Cole's behavior, and when he stopped to talk to him, Cole reportedly became "verbally aggressive and then assaulted the officer," according to a media release from the Franklin Division of Police.
The officer, who was not identified, was treated and released from Sycamore Hospital.
During the struggle, Benjamin Lawson, 33, and Levi Miniard, 19, ran over to help the officer subdue his assailant. Cole, of Franklin, was admitted for a 72-hour evaluation at Atrium Medical Center in Middletown. Police said Cole is facing felony charges of burglary, assault on a police officer and obstruction official business.
Chief Russ Whitman praised Lawson and Miniard for rushing to the officer's assistance.
"It is really nice to know that if any of my officers are in danger, our citizens will step up and help an officer," the chief said in the release. "This is just one of many reasons why I love this town."