UPDATE: Man, Teen Arrested After Choking Officer and Breaking His Leg

An officer suffered a broken leg after he was choked and attacked early Saturday, Livermore Police Officer Steven Goard said.

A 19-year-old and a teen were arrested after the incident, which is the second reported attack on an officer this month.

The officer, who was responding to a report of a disturbance at a house party, is expected to make a full recovery and return to full duty in a few months, officials said.

At 1:23 a.m., police were sent to the 900 block of Lambaren Avenue, near Olivina and Rincon avenues, after receiving multiple 911 calls for individuals screaming, breaking bottles and a possible fight, Goard said.

A police press release provides a description of the scene:

LPD units arrived on scene and observed approximately 100 subjects in the area. An officer saw a male juvenile who was extremely intoxicated and had difficulty walking. An officer attempted to check the welfare of the juvenile. During the welfare check, a group of individuals walked towards the officer and became confrontational.

Police said several people at the party attacked the officer while he was trying to take a 17-year-old into custody for public intoxication.

The police press release recaps the attack:

One individual from the group, a 17-year-old male, incited others to challenge the officer. The juvenile’s behavior was belligerent, confrontational, and created a dangerous environment to the responding officers. When the officer attempted to handcuff the juvenile, he physically attacked the officer by punching the officer in the face and torso multiple times. While the officer attempted to defend himself, an adult male Adrian Manzano, attacked the same officer from behind. Manzano jumped onto the back of the officer and choked the officer. The officer, the juvenile, and Manzano fell to the ground. Both Manzano and the juvenile continued to physically attack the officer. Other officers on scene came to the aid of the injured officer.

A resident who lives in the home that hosted the party said in an interview with Livermore Patch:

It was just a house party and everyone was having a good time and socializing.

The resident also said a small fight erupted at the party over a spilled drink, which escalated when more people got involved.

"It was not a gang-related incident," the resident said. "We just moved into the house and are just students at Las Positas College."

Patch readers commenting on this article said police used excessive force.

Goard provided the following statement to Livermore Patch in response:

I know that officers had to back up the crowd of friends trying to interfere with the officers.

No officers struck or swung batons at anyone. I know that with crowd control situations, batons are used to push crowds back and away from other officers. But (in) those cases, batons are held in both hands and not used in a swinging motion.

No one has come to LPD to report excessive force or claim to be struck with a baton from the incident.

Another resident who lives nearby told Livermore Patch that they woke up to "very loud screaming" at around 1:30 a.m.

The resident said:

There was a huge brawl, at least 20-30 kids . . . We heard the kids yelling, "Don't worry, you're only 17, can't go to jail."

In addition, the resident said the officer was taken away on a stretcher.

Officials said the officer complained of severe pain to his right leg. He was transported to ValleyCare Hospital, where he was treated and released with a broken leg.

"I do hope the officer is OK," the resident said. "Very sad that youth do not have respect for authority."

The Livermore Police Officers Association posted the following statement on Facebook:

The LPOA is concerned that these attacks on our officers will continue as the number of police officers employed in our city continues to decrease.

Manzano, 19, and the 17-year-old juvenile are both Livermore residents. Police said the two were arrested and booked on the following charges:

• Battery on police officer with injury
• Resisting or deterring an officer with force
• Willful resistance to peace officer causing serious bodily injury

Saturday's incident is the latest reported attack on a Livermore officer.

On Feb. 10, attackers hurled concrete chunks and stones from a railroad track toward an officer. The officer was struck in the head and taken to a hospital, where he was later released. The officer was working to clear debris in the roadway underneath the P Street railroad crossing when he was attacked.

Police continue to investigate the attack and are asking the public's help in tracking down suspects. A $2,000 reward is being offered.

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