CARTHAGE – A Franklin County sheriff’s deputy was punched and kicked by a Colorado man during an investigation of a criminal mischief complaint Friday, Sheriff Dennis Pike said.
Deputy Sandy Burke responded to a complaint of a vehicle damaging lawns around 5 p.m. He found an unoccupied vehicle and confronted Vance G. Billings, who initiated an “unprovoked physical assault,” Pike said.
Billings, whose identification showed a Minturn, Colo., address, grabbed Burke, punched him and when the officer hit the ground, kicked him several times, Pike said.
Burke called for backup, and officers from Dixfield and Wilton and county Deputy Heidi Gould and Cpl. Stephen Charles responded. State police were en route but were diverted when officers on the scene were able to get the situation under control.
Burke sustained facial cuts and bruises, the sheriff said.
After taking Billings to jail, Burke drove to Franklin Memorial Hospital, where he was examined and released. Billings is being held at Franklin County Jail on charges of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, assault on an officer, and refusing to submit to arrest, Pike said.
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