COLUMBUS (WCMH) — A Columbus man is behind bars tonight accused of assaulting a Columbus bike officer.

Brian Richardson, 52 faced a Franklin County judge today in court. The assault happened on N. High St. and Fourth Avenue.

Around 10:30 PM Saturday night, police say Richardson was smoking marijuana with a friend in the Short North when he was approached by bike officer Eric Westbrook.

Westbrook began to question Richardson and his friend when police say he took off running. The officer eventually caught up to Richardson.

Richardson then swung at officer Westbrook with a closed fist. Officer Westbrook was able to move slightly out of the way, but Richardson struck the officer in his helmet. Richardson then grabbed officer Westbrook’s helmet and pulled it back intentionally choking the officer with the straps.

“People need to realize this if someone will attack the police, what will they do to the average with person,” said Sergeant Duane Mabry, Coordinator for the Columbus police bicycle unit. “In this case it sounds like there was a foot chase and the bike is the best thing you want to have an a foot chase. Why run on foot when I can pedal all the way to that person and get them stopped before they cause harm to themselves or anyone else in the community.”