According to Clearwater Police, Officer Stewart Phillips was conducting a directed Patrol on the CSX Railroad Tracks at 22500 US Hwy 19 N. The directed patrol was due to recent concerns regarding transient encampments, approximately 300 yards west of US Hwy 19.
Phillips located 41 year-old Homer Lee Johnson in a camp in the woods just north of the tracks. Almost immediately upon contact, the arrested began to attack Officer Phillips which included striking Phillips in the head with a large rock and wrestling Officer Phillips’ ASP baton from his grasp.
Upon the arrival of a back-up officer, the arrested continued the attack, but was eventually taken into custody after the second officer deployed his Taser.
The officer was transported to Morton Plant Hospital where he was treated for scalp/head injuries. He was later released and is expected to be off duty for a couple of days.
Phillips, 47, has been a law enforcement officer since 2001. He became an officer with Clearwater Police in 2006.
Johnson was arrested and facing charges of Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement Officer and Depriving Officer Means of Protection or Communication.
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