HUNTINGTON BEACH – What started as an apparent routine encounter between a veteran Huntington Beach police officer and a bicyclist turned violent Tuesday night, when officials say the officer was severely beaten by the cyclist and his father while a witness screamed at them to stop.

The officer was hospitalized and later released, while the suspects were arrested on a host of charges including attempted murder, Huntington Beach police Officer Jennifer Marlatt said.

The 11:20 p.m attack near Beach Boulevard and Clay Avenue was witnessed by a 21-year-old woman on a ride-along with the officer whose screams managed to halt the assault, Marlatt said.

The woman’s pleas for help seemed to cut through the peaceful neighborhood.

Job Martin, 53, had just gone to bed inside his apartment in the 700 block of Owen Drive when he heard the woman’s blood-curdling shriek half a block away.

“It was terrible,” Martin said Wednesday afternoon. “It sounded like she was being assaulted. It was a scream of violence.”

Just a couple of minutes later there was another sound from the street.

Police cars. Lots of them.

“I immediately heard a barrage of sirens,” Martin said.

Police said the incident occurred when an officer – who was not immediately identified – stopped bicyclist Bryce Headrick, 23, near Beach Boulevard and Clay Avenue. Police have not explained the reason for the stop.

While the officer was talking to the man, his 58-year-old father, Darryl Headrick of Huntington Beach, came up behind the officer and hit him in the head with his fist, Marlatt said.

Police said the officer pulled out his Taser and attempted to defend himself, but was unsuccessful.

“Both men then began hitting and kicking the officer,” Marlatt said. “The officer had a female ride-along who got out of the car and began screaming at the two men to stop, which they did.”

The woman was not identified by police.

Both Headricks rode away on bicycles, police said, while the officer radioed for backup.

Officers located and arrested both men on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder on a police officer and assault with a deadly weapon, Marlatt said.

Paramedics took the officer, who’s been on the force for 17 years, to a hospital to be treated for head and face injuries. He returned home Wednesday morning.

Bryce Headrick pleaded guilty in November to resisting a police executive and a peace officer, battery on a police officer, possession of a controlled substance and carrying a switchblade, all misdemeanors, according to Orange County Superior Court records. All of the offenses occurred in Huntington Beach, Marlatt said.

He was sentenced to 60 days in jail for the offenses, court records say.

Court records say that a Darryl Headrick with the same birth date as the man arrested in Tuesday’s incident has recently faced charges of felony battery with serious bodily injury, as well as misdemeanor resisting a police officer, attempting to vandalize, possession of a controlled substance and intimidation.

Marlatt said attacks on officers seems to be a growing trend nationwide.

“Violence involving law officers is increasing,” she said. “We (Huntington Beach police) are very lucky to have the support of the community, but that doesn’t mean we are exempt from attacks.”

Contact the writer: sschwebke@ocregister.com