HPD Sergeant who helped save man from burning car arrested on DUI charges
A Hopkinsville Police Sergeant has been suspended after being arrested on DUI charges—only three weeks after being lauded for helping pull a man from a burning car.
A news release from HPD says 39-year old Sgt. John Thompson was arrested by Hopkinsville Police around 11:45 last night and charged with DUI.
Sgt. Thompson has been suspended with pay.
Thompson and three other officers were featured in local and regional news in the days following a November 3rd incident on North Drive at the bridge in front of BB&T. 33-year old Martez Nelson of Hopkinsville was southbound when he ran off the side of the road, hit a sign and over-corrected before slamming into the bridge—which caused his vehicle to catch fire.
Sgt. Thompson used a fire extinguisher to knock the flames down, while Officer Federico Rodriguez pulled Nelson from the car. Sgt. Thompson was interviewed the following morning and talked about the experience.
Sgt. Thompson was booked into the Christian County Jail on $773 bond. Thompson has been with the Hopkinsville Police Department since 1996.
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11/25/2012/am
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