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Police officer released from hospital after assault

Hit-and-run suspect allegedly struck officer in the face repeatedly, sending him to hospital.

Eric German

ENLARGE PHOTO

Charges shock neighbors of suspect in assault on police officer

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 9:03 AM Thursday, July 22, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — A Middletown police officer repeatedly struck in the face by a suspect in a hit-skip crash has been released from the hospital after being taken to the emergency room last night.

Meanwhile, an arraignment for the man accused of assaulting him is scheduled for 10 a.m. today, July 22, in front of Middletown Municipal Judge Mark Wall.

Officer Jason Deaton was dispatched to the intersection of Grand Avenue and Breiel Boulevard at about 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, on the report of a hit-and-run accident involving a blue van.

Deaton was able to locate the van and initiate a traffic stop at the intersection of Aberdeen Drive and Central Avenue, said police Officer Tim Meehan.

Lt. Walter Scott Reeve said a struggle ensued when Deaton tried to take the driver, identified as Eric German, 45, into custody.

“The officer was able to get the first handcuff on and then (German) began resisting arrest,” Reeve said. “He struck the officer in the face multiple times.”

The officer unsuccessfully attempted to use his Taser on German, who at about 6 foot 2 inches tall and 240 pounds is much larger than Deaton, Reeve said.

The struggle continued until Officer Malcolm Tipton arrived on the scene and was able to deploy his Taser and secure German, Reeve said.

Reeve said German told police he fought with Deaton because he “has compulsive destructive disorder and can’t control himself.”

Deaton was transported via ambulance to Atrium Medical Center in Middletown for his injuries, which Reeve described as “more than scrapes.”

He was then transferred Wednesday evening to Miami Valley Hospital, where he was in the emergency room at about 10 p.m.

German is charged with felony assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, obstructing official business, failure to drive in marked lanes and fleeing the scene of an accident. He is being held in the Middletown City Jail.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.

Eric German

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