A Springfield police officer is recovering from what’s described as “moderate injuries” after he was dragged by a pickup truck Saturday night. According to the Springfield police department, Officer Clinton “Dave” Laws located a suspicious vehicle at the Casey’s General Store parking lot around 8:30 pm. When the driver refused to acknowledge Laws or identify himself, the officer opened the truck door to make contact. With the door open, the driver backed up, knocking Laws to the ground and fled westbound on Division with Laws caught in the rear driver’s side wheel well. The officer was dragged about 150 yards. He fired his duty handgun into the cab in an attempt to stop the vehicle and became dislodged near Smith Park, according to the department.
Soon after, Greene County Sheriff’s deputies located the suspect vehicle abandoned in the 1100 block of N. Rogers. Springfield police located the suspect, Jeffrey Lyon, Jr. near Calhoun and Prospect and took him into custody. He’s being held in the Greene County Jail on $100,000 bond. The Greene County Prosecutor filed charges against him, including second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and leaving the scene of a crash.
According to the police department, Officer Laws sustained significant injuries, including third-degree burns, which they say will require further treatment.
