Good Samaritan comes to rescue of female cop being attacked

March 2024 · 4 minute read

A shocking new video shows an unruly perp attacking a police officer in Willoughby, Ohio, on Saturday.

As the group descends on the unruly suspect, one of the good Samaritans can be heard telling him: 'You don't do that to a woman.' 

The suspect, David Koubeck, 64, was pulled over for speeding by Officer Stacee Wright, 30, on September 10 along Lost Nation Road in Willoughby in suburban Cleveland. 

The video shows Koubeck being immediately dismissive of Wright as he exits the vehicle without permission, saying that he needed to go to the back of the car to get his driver's license from the back. 

Koubeck was driving a 2009 black Chevrolet Malibu when he was pulled over.  

The suspect in the altercation, David Koubeck, later told investigators that he was 'having a bad day.'

The suspect in the altercation, David Koubeck, later told investigators that he was 'having a bad day.'

From there, Wright radios for backup, advising that the suspect had left his car. Wright demands that Koubeck sit on the curb, an order he disobeys. He yells: 'I'm not sitting! I'm not sitting!'

Koubeck continues to raise his voice to Wright while ignoring another command to put his hands on the car. 

The suspect put his finger in the Wright's face and ignore her commands to back away while pushing her. 

From there, the two engaged in a physical struggle, with Koubeck appearing to get the upper hand after catching Wright by surprise.  

All of a sudden, four good Samaritans appear as if from nowhere to aid Wright and quickly subdue Koubeck. 

A voice can be heard in the video telling Koubeck: 'You don't do that to a woman. Do you understand me?' 

Shortly after the group became involved, another officer showed up and helped to take Koubeck into custody. 

Here the suspect can be seen leaving his car before being asked to, according to another officer, this can be seen as a 'red flag'

Here the suspect can be seen leaving his car before being asked to, according to another officer, this can be seen as a 'red flag'

Officer Wright ordered the man to take a seat on the curb. He raised his voice as he defied the order

Officer Wright ordered the man to take a seat on the curb. He raised his voice as he defied the order

Eventually, the suspect lays his hands on the officer and the two begin wrestling

Eventually, the suspect lays his hands on the officer and the two begin wrestling

Seemingly out of nowhere, a group of good Samaritans arrive on the scene to aid the officer

Seemingly out of nowhere, a group of good Samaritans arrive on the scene to aid the officer

Wright was taken to University Hospital's Lake West Medical Center to be treated for minor injuries. 

Willoughby Det. Sgt. Michael Sevel told WKYC about the incident saying: 'His behavior was aggressive towards her, he refused several commands of hers, all of these are red flags.'

He said: 'We’re thankful it ended the way it did, because it could have ended worse.'

Sevel also said: 'It just makes us extremely proud to work for Willoughby, where there’s good people willing to put their safety on the line. They had no idea what they were stepping into, they could have been risking their lives to help that officer.' 

According to the Lake County Herald News, Koubeck later told authorities that he was 'having a bad day.' He denied punching the Wright and said that he was trying to comply, adding that he never meant to hurt her. 

In a Facebook post, Willoughby Police Chief Jim Schultz thanked those who helped out and asked those who pulled over to come forward. 

The chief wrote: 'I would like to personally thank several great Samaritans and our wonderful community for their quick action and support.'

He went on: 'I am so proud of our community and the tremendous support we receive on a day-to-day basis. Saturday was another awesome example. I greatly appreciate it! Thank you!'

In an interview with the Lake County News-Herald, Chief Schultz referred to the officer who was attacked as being 'very good at her job' and 'a fighter.' 

He added: 'I am sure she would have handled the situation, but if nobody stopped and helped, it may have escalated.' 

Following the Facebook post, Schultz said that the four men who helped out had come forward and that none wanted to be publicly recognized. 

He said: 'They are very private people and basically said they stopped because it was the right thing to do.' 

As a result of the incident, Koubeck has been charged with assault on an officer, resisting arrest, speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt. He will appear in court on September 22. 

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