A father and son face attempted murder charges for allegedly beating a Huntington Beach police officer to the ground during a confrontation Tuesday night, police said.
The officer had approached a man riding a bicycle at Beach Boulevard and Clay Avenue about 11:20 p.m. when he was punched in the back of the head by the man's father, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.
The officer reached for his stun gun but was unable to defend himself, police said. He fell to the ground as the two men punched and kicked him. The men took off on their bicycles after a woman who was with the officer on a ride-along yelled at them to stop.
"There is a good possibility these two would have continued to kick and punch the officer. I mean, there's a possibility they could have killed him," said Officer Jennifer Marlatt with the Huntington Beach Police Department.
The father, identified by police as 58-year-old Darryl Headrick, was arrested nearby. His son, 23-year-old Bryce Headrick, was taken into custody several hours later.
The officer was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries to his head and face, police said. He was released and expected to make a full recovery.
Both men, residents of Huntington Beach, were booked on charges of second-degree attempted murder on a police officer, assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm and resisting/obstructing a peace officer.
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It was not immediately clear if they had an attorney.
