Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Incident: Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
Date of Incident: 12 February 2011
Location: 230 Catherine Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Anthony Patton, 29, Salisbury, MD


Narrative: On 12 February 2011 at 2:23AM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with officers from the Salisbury Police responded to a large disturbance at the Elks Lodge located on Catherine Street in Salisbury, MD. While the deputies were on scene their attention was drawn to a patron in the parking lot later identified as Anthony Patton, who was directing profane language at the officers and refusing to leave. Patton’s actions began hindering the deputy’s attempts at calming the situation which prompted one of the deputies on scene to attempt to place Patton under arrest. Instead of submitting to the arrest, Patton became physically combative and struck a city police officer in the face and a deputy in the mouth. Patton then became even more combative, swinging at multiple officers before he was successfully taken into custody.

Patton continued his screaming and yelled for other bystanders for assistance. Patton continued to make threats against the deputies and officers on scene and upon being placed into a patrol car began spitting blood over the interior.

Patton was eventually able to be transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Patton in the Detention Center in lieu of $75,000.00 bond.

Charges: Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
Assault Second Degree
Disorderly Conduct
Malicious Destruction of Property