A Fairfax County police officer struggled with a suspect Friday afternoon, as passersby stood by and watched.
It happened around 3 p.m. in the 8200 block of Russel Road in Alexandria. As police tell the story, the officer encountered a man who smelled of marijuana. The officer asked the man, identified as Dadrian Jegede, 23, of Southeast D.C. to stop but Jegede walked away. When the officer tried to legally detain him, Jegede resisted and pushed the officer away.
On security camera video you can see the officer trying to get Jegede’s hands behind his back to lawfully detain him but he continued to resist, despite commands to stop. During the struggle several people approached the two men and the officer radioed a “Signal 1.” In Fairfax County, that’s an emergency call for immediate help. Another officer arrived quickly and the two were able to subdue Jegede. No injuries were reported.
After releasing the video to the public Fairfax County police Chief Edwin Roessler said:
“Law enforcement is a rewarding profession but it can be very dangerous at times. Officers often put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community. When we encounter someone who resists a lawful arrest and attacks us, we are concerned for the sanctity of all human life. As a matter of transparency we provide this video to demonstrate the dangers of our profession. My officers were professional at all times to overcome a violent criminal and I stand behind their actions.”
Jegede was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. An outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court from Prince William County was also served. He is being held without bond and is expected to appear in court on Monday.
As with all use of force incidents in Fairfax County, an internal investigation is underway.