Cop, Two Paramedics Attacked While Responding To Emergency Call

(STMW) -- A highly intoxicated northwest Indiana man who allegedly hit, punched and kicked a police officer and paramedics trying to assist him was ordered held on $150,000 bond Wednesday.

Joseph Zajac, 28, of Hobart was charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery to a police officer or protected employee, and one misdemeanor count of resisting an officer, police said.

Zajac, of the 3800 block of Colbourne Street in Hobart, Ind., was ordered held on $150,000 bond at a hearing Wednesday, the Cook County State's Attorney's office said.

Concerned onlookers called 911 about 7:15 p.m. after they saw Zajac stumble in the street and hit his head on the ground in the 300 block of North LaSalle Drive, police said.

When police officers and paramedics tried to help Zajac, he became "highly combative," police said. He hit one paramedic in the face, punched and kicked an officer, and caused another paramedic to lose consciousness after she fell and hit her head on a railing, police said.

Zajac was arrested and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and released to police.

The injured officer and paramedics were treated and released from Northwestern Memorial, police said.

Zajac will next appear in court Dec. 10, the state's attorney's office said.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)