A Florida man accused of challenging a police officer to a fight later appeared in a striking mugshot, showing a swollen black eye and a bloodied face after the confrontation.
Ronald Jeffrey Johnson had to be held upright by jail staff for his booking photo after authorities say he attacked a Fort Lauderdale Police officer at Broward Health Medical Center on Aug. 29, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
Johnson, 51, was allegedly shouting at employees in the hospital’s Emergency Department when the officer, who was in uniform while working an off-duty detail, was called to respond.
“I observed the defendant yelling at medical staff from the opposite side of the registration desk, causing a breach of peace in the waiting room and creating fear in the surrounding patients,” the officer wrote in an arrest report reviewed by The Post.
After noticing the officer, Johnson allegedly shifted his focus away from hospital staff and confronted the cop directly.
“I want to fight you,” Johnson allegedly shouted before rushing toward the officer in an aggressive manner.
“A physical altercation between me and the defendant ensued, where he initially grabbed me in an attempt to fight me, and resisted me from controlling him,” the arrest report stated.
The officer eventually subdued the 5-foot-8, 240-pound Johnson, stopping what police described as “intentional, aggressive and physical behavior” before taking him into custody.
Johnson didn’t have to go far to get treatment for his injuries inside the hospital.
He was medically cleared and transported to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail, where he was propped up for his mugshot.
Johnson was charged with aggravated battery on an officer, resisting an officer with violence, assault on an officer and disorderly conduct.
The swollen-faced suspect was wanted in Georgia for failing to appear in court on terroristic threats.
He is being held on a $8,5000 bond.
The officer was also injured in the brawl, suffering a laceration to his left hand that needed multiple stitches.
