PITTSFIELD — Two off-duty police officers potentially saved lives and thwarted further danger when they encountered a man experiencing a medical emergency who later became aggressive and was found to be armed with a firearm and carrying various illegal substances.
Officers Ladd and Wineberg were walking along North St. near Union St. when they noticed a man lying on the road.
The man, whose identity has not been released, appeared to be in distress.
As they rendered aid and awaited the ambulance, the situation escalated when the man became agitated and attempted to assault the officers.
The officers identified themselves and worked to de-escalate the situation.
During the encounter, they observed a firearm in the man’s waistband.
Despite the man’s continued resistance, which included grabbing at a uniformed officer’s firearm, he was temporarily subdued until on-duty officers arrived and secured him in handcuffs.
Upon searching the man, officers found large quantities of prescription pills, as well as substances believed to be heroin and cocaine.
The man was provided medical attention before being charged with a litany of offenses, including trafficking heroin, possession of a firearm in a felony, possession of ammunition without an FID card, assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest.
The suspect is set to appear in court on Jan. 29.
