Police: Man tried to hit officer with car, said it was cop's 'job' to die

BELLINGHAM -- Police arrested a man who allegedly tried to run down a police officer with his car, later telling officers it was "their job" to "lay down" for citizens.

According to the Bellingham Police Department, an officer was in his patrol car around 2:30 a.m. Friday near the intersection of West Holly Street and Champion when he heard a car behind him honking loudly, trying to get the officer's attention.

When the officer stepped out of his car to see what was wrong with the suspect, the man allegedly backed up, gunned his engine and tried to run the policeman over.

Luckily, the officer hopped out of the way, Bellingham police said, and was not struck by the speeding vehicle.

The policeman called for back-up and jumped back into his patrol car and chased the suspect. The suspect failed to yield, police said, and cops performed a PIT maneuver near the Squalicum Parkway, disabling the suspect's.

Police ordered the suspect to get out of his car, but he allegedly refused. Police Dog Danek was deployed and the man eventually surrendered. He was taken to Whatcom County Jail.

During a post-arrest interview, police asked the suspect why he tried to run the officer down.

"I was trying to hit and kill you because that's your job right?" the man allegedly asked police. "To lay down your life to protect citizens? But you dodged that really good."

The suspect remains in jail on suspicion of first-degree assault, a Class A felony.