October 10, 2007

CMPD Officer Jim Fox, South Division, is hospitalized and receiving treatment for serious head injuries he sustained after a suspect assaulted him while being taken into custody.  The suspect, Karl Alexander Untz (DOB 12/24/1982), has been arrested and is being charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon to Inflict Serious Injury on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resist/Obstruct, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and the initial outstanding warrant for larceny.

Officers Fox, Cho and Grant went to Untz's home Tuesday night, October 9, 2007, to serve an outstanding warrant for larceny.  While Officer Fox was putting handcuffs on the suspect, Mr. Untz began fighting with the officers, grabbed the officer's Maglight flashlight and struck Officer Fox several times on the head.  Officers Grant and Cho used their Tasers to take the suspect into custody. Officer Fox was transported to Carolinas Medical Center in Pineville and transferred to CMC-Main.  He is expected to make a complete recovery. 

So far this year, 212 CMPD officers have been assaulted in the line of duty. In 2006, there were a total of 306 assaults on law enforcement officers.