Arrest turns bloody

Jason Clarke
The Express-Star

CHICKASHA June 06, 2007 01:30 pm

— A Chickasha man is in jail after a confrontation with police.
Kenneth James Hodge, 24, was allegedly involved in an incident on the turnpike where he had slashed the tires of a vehicle.
Officer Michael Delong and DA Task Force Investigator Brian Guthrie located Hodge walking behind Gas-Mart.
Earlier reports had indicated that Hodge should be considered armed and dangerous, and officers noted a knife clipped to the suspect’s pocket.
Guthrie drew his service weapon and ordered Hodge to the ground multiple times, but the suspect refused.
Hodge reportedly told Guthrie to stop pointing the weapon at him.
While Guthrie distracted Hodge, Delong tackled the suspect, landing beneath him as the two fell to the ground. The officer was able to reverse positions and pin the suspect with a knee to the back.
Hodge continued to resist according to the affidavit, and the officers deployed an X26 Taser, stunning the suspect until his hands were placed into handcuffs.
“Kenneth Hodge continued to be violent and uncooperative with officers,” Delong said.
Assisting officers placed the suspect in leg irons to keep from being kicked. The suspect was later determined to be intoxicated.
The book-in photo of Hodge appears to show lacerations to the face.
Asst. Police Chief Keith Springstead said it was his understanding that Hodge did receive injuries to his face and to his arm during the arrest, but that those wounds did not look near as severe once they had been cleaned.
A use-of-force report has been completed and turned in, according to the assistant chief.
Springstead said once officers were able to complete the investigation, it was determined that Hodge had actually slashed the tires on his own vehicle and had never threatened anyone with the knife.
He was, however, arrested for obstruction, resisting arrest and public intoxication for the trouble he gave the officers.

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