Tulsa police officer thrown from patrol car

A close call for a Tulsa police officer when he's thrown from his own vehicle early Tuesday. <br/><br/>A Tulsa police officer saw three people slump over in a pick-up truck when he was making a routine

Tuesday, August 17th 2004, 5:41 am

By: News On 6

A close call for a Tulsa police officer when he's thrown from his own vehicle early Tuesday.

A Tulsa police officer saw three people slump over in a pick-up truck when he was making a routine patrol around 2 AM. When he stopped to talk to them, it turned violent.

Police say the driver started fighting with the officer then ran off on foot and wound up trying to steal the officer's patrol car.

Tulsa Police Sgt Richard Alexander: â€œHe ran towards the officerâ€™s car, and was able to gain entry into it and attempted to drive off. Officer McKenzie was trying to stop him from the open door. And during the process he got thrown from the vehicle.â€

Officer McKenzie was not hurt. The patrol car was slightly damaged when it ran into a fence.

The suspect is still on the loose. The other two people are being questioned.