Chester, Pennsylvania, police officer hospitalized after violent attack while responding to burglary

A Chester police officer is expected to recover after authorities say he was violently attacked Tuesday morning while responding to a reported domestic burglary.

According to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office, Officer Michael Tierney approached a man connected to a reported burglary near Meadow Lane and West 9th Street in Chester when the suspect suddenly attacked the officer.

"It was a really scary incident, and it could've been a whole lot worse," Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said.

Investigators said Tierney attempted to calmly speak with the suspect on the sidewalk before the encounter turned violent.

"There was no real provocation. Officer Tierney was acting in nothing but a professional manner," Rouse said.

Authorities identified the suspect as Lawrence Crews. Prosecutors said Crews repeatedly punched Tierney, wrestled him to the ground and struggled for control of the officer's Taser.

"He was in effect pistol-whipped with his own Taser as a struggle ensued," Rouse said. "Eventually, he was able to get the suspect, Mr. Crews, off of him." Additional officers later took Crews into custody.

Tierney was rushed to ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. Officials said Tierney suffered cuts to his face and head and may have sustained a concussion, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

"He was banged up, he was shaken up, it was wild, and it was unprovoked," Rouse said.

Prosecutors said Crews may have been suffering a health crisis at the time of the incident, though officials stressed there was no justification for assaulting a police officer.

"This was preventable. This was something that was foreseeable as well," Rouse said.

According to the district attorney's office, Crews is expected to face burglary charges for allegedly breaking down the door of his girlfriend's home, as well as aggravated assault on a police officer.