Police Chief Said Tuesday Arrest of Local Man Was Handled Well by Officer

A physical altercation during an arrest led to injuries to an Effingham City Police officer Tuesday.

The incident occurred at 12:21pm at a residence in the 600 block of Shelby Avenue. Effingham City Police Chief Jason McFarland said the suspect is 36-year-old Tucker Ohara of Effingham.

McFarland said city police officers were at the residence due to a domestic disturbance. Ohara was reportedly hiding in the residence. When officers located him in the residence, an altercation resulted. 

McFarland said that Ohara had multiple knives on his person, including a large knife in a sheath on his hip. When Ohara attempted to draw the knife, one of the city officers tackled him, resulting in injuries to the officer. The officer, who was not identified, is still being checked as to the extent of his injuries, which were the result of the tackle, not the knife. Ohara was not injured.

Ohara was taken into custody on charges of possession of weapons by a felon, possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine, and resisting arrest resulting in injuries to a peace officer. He was also arrested on a warrant charging failure to appear in court on a charge of possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. 

Chief McFarland said the incident was one that could have been lethal, had it not been for the actions of the officer.