Man Accused of Beating Up Paramedics Who Were Trying To Help Him

BURBANK, IL — A Palos Heights man is accused of fighting a paramedic while he was being placed in an ambulance, prosecutors said. Roy Watson, 55, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on two charges of battery to an EMT. Watson was released on a I-bond following an appearance over the weekend for bond hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building.

Around 1 p.m. Sept. 21, Burbank police were assisting with an ambulance call at 87th Street and Central Avenue for a “combative subject,” the prosecutor said. While Burbank paramedics were trying to render aid, the prosecutor said Watson grabbed a paramedic around the shoulder and pushed him to the ground. Watson allegedly fell on top of the paramedic and pinned him on the ground, until a second paramedic pulled him off his colleague. The prosecutor said Watson ran away, but was apprehended moments later.

The assistant public defender told the judge that alcohol may have been involved. The judge set bail at $50,000.

“We don’t beat up paramedics around here,” Mahoney said.