Atlanta Police Officer Who Took Down Woodruff Park Stabbing Suspect Honored

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Photo Credit: Atlanta Police Department

The Atlanta police officer who potentially saved the life of a colleague has been recognized for her quick thinking and measured response to a very dangerous situation.

According to the Atlanta Police Department, Officer Toni Richardson has been named the Officer of the Year by Central Atlanta Progress for her role in ending the Woodruff Park stabbing incident on Aug. 27, 2014.

At approximately 4 p.m. that day, Richardson noticed the man seemingly drinking alcohol in Woodruff Park. According to police, when Richardson attempted to detain the man for questioning, he struggled with Richardson and pulled out a butcher knife.

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The man escaped Richardson’s grasp and walked away, while Richardson drew her service weapon and ordered the man to stop, police said. While walking away from Richardson, the man encountered a plain clothed Georgia State police officer getting ready to escort university president Mark Becker to the Panthers’ first home football game of the season.

The university police officer tried to stop the man, but the man swung the large knife at the officer, injuring him. Richardson immediately shot the man one time in order to stop the attack. Both the university police officer and the assailant were taken to the hospital for treatment of wounds. Police later said that the man was wanted on several warrants in another state.

“As a result of Officer Richardson’s excellent police work, a violent offender was arrested and removed from Atlanta streets, “ the department wrote on Faceook Tuesday. “The Atlanta Police Department congratulates Officer Richardson on the award and thanks her for upholding the highest standards of policing.”