35th District Officer In Medically Induced Coma After Struggle With Suspect
By Jim Melwert
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A 35th District police officer is in a medically-induced coma following a violent struggle with a suspect in the Logan section early Friday morning.
According to investigators, officers responded to an assist call at about 12:45 a.m. at 7th and Loudon Streets.
When officers arrived, they found 31-year-old Officer Michael Gwynn unconscious and unresponsive, but still holding on to 34-year-old suspect Havon Cooper.
Two 35th District police officers immediately began CPR on Officer Gwynn, which Commissioner Charles Ramsey says has given Gwynn a fighting chance.
"They literally saved his life. According to the information we have from the hospital, there was a period of time while his heart did stop beating, so had it not been for the CPR and the quick action of the officers that put him in the radio patrol car, administering CPR and getting him right to Einstein Medical Center, this would be a totally different scenario than what we're describing right now," Ramsey explained.
Officer Gwynn is currently listed in stable condition, but is in a medically-induced coma.
Police don't know why the altercation initially started, but they say it does appear it was violent.
Officer Gwynn is a 4-year veteran of the police force. He is married with two children. The commissioner says his family is at the hospital with him. As for why his heart stopped, Commissioner Ramsey says they're still waiting for additional tests and reports from the hospital.
Investigators say Cooper has four prior arrests. He was taken to Temple University Hospital to be treated for minor injuries and remains in police custody.
