Man accused of assaulting Denver police officer

A 26-year-old man is accused of attacking a Denver police officer and trying to grab her gun while she tried to arrest him.

KUSA-TV reports officer Aubree Thompson was responding to reports of a man wandering in traffic and washing his clothes in a storm drain in south Denver on Saturday. Investigators say Stephen K. Hamper broke loose when the officer tried to handcuff him and hit her in the face and body with a closed fist several times.

Two bystanders helped Thompson fight the man off until backup arrived.

According to court documents, Hamper told investigators that “if I would have gotten her gun, I would have killed her.” He faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and assaulting a peace officer.