My Fox Atlanta
November 4, 2014
Police have released sketches of two men they say attacked an officer at an apartment complex in Roswell Wednesday morning.
FOX 5 News has learned Officer John Lathem with the Roswell Police Department approached two men sitting in a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Champions Green Apartments located off Holcomb Bride Road.
Police say as soon as the officer approached the men they jumped out and wrestled him to the ground and slashed his face and arm with a box cutter.
According to police, Officer Lathem was able to grab his gun and fire one shot. No one was hit and the men took off running.
The only description of the men is that they both were wearing black hoodies and one was heavier set with dreadlocks.
Officer Lathem, a 15-year-veteran with Roswell Police, was rushed to an area hospital. He received numerous stitched but is doing well and will make a full recovery.
Officer from Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton and Dunwoody are currently assisting in the search. They have a command post inside the apartment complex set up at the leasing office.
Roswell police say they have had extra patrols in the complex following a drive-by shooting on Sunday night. They say someone fired 18 rounds into an apartment. No one was injured, but the bullets ripped through several apartments. Investigators believe the drive-by was targeting one apartment.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Roswell Police at 770-640-4100.