SACRAMENTO — Two police officers who work with the homeless were in the right place at the right time Wednesday when they arrested a man authorities said tried to stab a woman.
Officers Mike Cooper and Mark Zoulas arrested Edward Martin, 46, who is homeless, for assault on a 41-year-old woman, who also is homeless.
The officers were responding to a call about a woman with a medical problem at Maryhouse when a person entered the social service agency in the 1300 block of North C Street and said a knife-wielding man was outside and that police were needed.
The officers heard screaming outside, and when they exited the building, they saw a man slashing at a woman with a knife. The woman backpedaled and then ran, avoiding injury.
The suspect then brandished the weapon at other people who had gathered.
Officers spoke to the suspect, and one officer pulled a Taser while the other drew his firearm, said police spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong.
The man was taken into custody without further incident.
Cooper and Zoulas, members of the department's Problem Oriented Police unit, have been honored for their progressive approach by homeless advocates.
Both officers are known for taking people to medical appointments, to court dates or to social service programs in addition to executing their regular police duties.
Read the full story at sacbee.com.