Evansville, IN — Three Evansville Police officers are recovering from minor injuries following separate arrests Wednesday and early Thursday morning, according to department officials. The incidents, which occurred over a span of several hours, involved physical confrontations between police and suspects who resisted arrest.
The first incident took place just after 11 a.m. at the intersection of West Virginia and Read Streets. Police attempted to stop a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Patrick Matthews, who reportedly refused to comply with officers’ orders. In an effort to remove Matthews from the car, officers were forced to break the vehicle’s window. During the struggle, Matthews allegedly threw a glass methamphetamine pipe on the ground, which struck and injured an officer’s hand. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered additional drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine.
Several hours later, around 2:30 p.m., police encountered 24-year-old Lashawn Williams, who was walking down the middle of South Elliot Street near East Riverside Drive. Authorities say Williams initially cooperated by removing his jacket and hoodie, but then fled on foot as officers approached. After a brief foot chase, officers apprehended Williams and placed him into custody. During the arrest, one officer suffered a hand injury. Authorities say Williams had a small amount of marijuana in his possession at the time of his arrest.
The third incident occurred just after 1:30 a.m. Thursday at a gas station on South Green River Road. Police were called to the scene after Marquelle Smith, 35, was reportedly causing a disturbance inside the store. Officers say Smith was shouting profanities and refused to calm down after being escorted outside. During a search, Smith was found to be carrying hydrocodone pills without a prescription. Authorities say Smith became increasingly combative and threatened to harm the officers both at the scene and during transport to the jail. As Smith continued to struggle, he was placed in a restraint chair. In the process, one officer sustained a cut to his thumb.
Smith has a history of resisting law enforcement. In 2017, he was involved in a separate incident in which police allege he tried to run over officers with a vehicle.
In all three cases, the officers involved suffered minor injuries, but their actions were critical in containing the suspects and preventing further escalation. The Evansville Police Department is continuing to investigate each case, with charges pending for the suspects involved.
The department reiterated that while incidents like these are challenging and sometimes dangerous, the safety of officers and the community remains a top priority.
