CEDAR FALLS – A Cedar Falls police officer awoke a 270 lb. man who smelled of booze and weed – thereby pissing the dude off – leading to a man-on-cop beat down on an icy city street and a gunshot to the drowzy giant.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, 27-year old Zachary Lee Church of Parkersburg, Iowa, was arrested Monday upon his release from Sartori Hospital in Cedar Falls on two warrants for Assault Against a Peace Officer and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver. Both charges are class D felonies. The arrest was made by Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Deputies with the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a report, Church was pulled over by Cedar Falls police officer Bob Anderson near 2nd Street and Hudson Avenue in Cedar Falls on December 25th, 2013, at about 2:57 AM. The officer observed Church sleeping in his running vehicle at the location, and smelled the aroma of marijuana from the vehicle and alcohol on Church’s person.
During the subsequent investigation, Church – who is listed as about 6 feet 2 inches tall and 270 lbs. – began to assault officer Anderson, striking him repeatedly about the face and head, and knocking him to the ground. The assault continued until officer Anderson shot Church with his firearm. Officer Anderson suffered cuts, abrasions and swelling to his face due to the assault.
Since the time of the shooting, Church has been hospitalized at Sartori Hospital in Cedar Falls. Today he was transported to the Black Hawk County Jail. Church remains in custody on $45,000 dollars bond.
The DCI investigation into the use of lethal force by Officer Anderson in this incident is still ongoing and the results of that investigation will be forwarded to the Black Hawk County Attorney’s Office for their review.
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
