A decorated police officer already known for several high profile arrests had his finger bitten off by an ex-felon with a history of attacking police, police and court officials confirmed Wednesday afternoon.
Officer Chad Meyer, who was named the top cop for the Third Precinct in 2009, was bitten by James Curtis Dawkins, 54, when officers arrived at a residence at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday in the 2400 block of 10th Avenue S. to investigate a report that a man was causing a commotion and breaking things.
Dawkins immediately attacked Meyer and his partner, officer Laura Turner, and clamped his teeth on Meyer's gloved left index finger, biting it off at the first knuckle, according to a criminal complaint. The finger remained inside the officer's glove.
Doctors were unable to reattach the severed finger. Dawkins has been charged with assault in the first degree and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
MATT MCKINNEY
