BRPD thanks 56-year-old woman for saving officer during attack

BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge Police officer was rushed to the hospital after he was attacked during a traffic stop on Harry Drive Sunday morning.

According to BRPD, the officer found 28-year-old Thomas Bennett sleeping in a parked vehicle around 7:50 a.m. in the 8400 block of Harry Drive. The officer noticed drug paraphernalia in the car and conducted a search of the vehicle.

After the officer recovered multiple syringes and a bag of cocaine, Bennett suddenly attacked the officer.

Bennett reportedly grabbed the officer's baton and began striking the officer in the head with it. He also grabed the officer's firearm and attempted to remove it from the holster.

During the incident, 56-year-old Vickie Williams-Tillman noticed the situation and contacted authorities.

Williams-Tillman then stepped in to assist the officer and jumped on the suspect's back in an attempt to stop the attack. She was able to hold off Bennett from further injuring the officer until responding officers arrived to the scene. He was then tasered by police and detained.

All three individuals involved were transported to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital with minor injuries.

Bennett was booked on charges of aggravated battery, disarming a police officer, resisting an officer with violence, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. According to arrest records, bond has been set for $167,500.

Police publicly thanked Williams-Tillman Sunday night in a Facebook post.

"For going above and beyond in that moment to help our officer and possibly save his life we are forever grateful to you Ms. Vickie! For showing so much love and concern for one of our officers BRPDSalutes you," the post read.



Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome will hold a press conference at 3:30 p.m. on Monday to discuss the attack and Williams-Tillman's heroic actions. WBRZ will live stream the press conference.