Homeless man feels like a 'hero' after intervening to save police officer stabbed in Washington DC

A homeless man has said he feels like a "little hero" after intervening to save a police officer who was being stabbed in the head in Washington DC.

The officer was taken to hospital after being attacked by another homeless man with scissors on Thursday.

The police force have thanked John Burrows for stepping in.

Chief of police Peter Newsham said in a news conference: "It's very, very kind - very heroic."

A 61-year-old man was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill an officer.

The motive for the attack is unknown, but it's not thought to be linked to anti-racism protests which have been taking place in the downtown area of the capital for the past few weeks.

Mr Burrows told NBC's News4 he had previously met the Second District officer and was just doing the right thing.

He said: "I grabbed the guy's arm and me and the cop together got him under control so he couldn't stab him no more. He got arrested, the cop went to the hospital and I guess I'm like a little hero".

Mr Burrows added: "I was really mad at the guy, for just stabbing him for no reason. That made me mad.

"They're my cops. This is my city and I don't want you stabbing them."

A police official said that the "heroic actions of the good Samaritan prevented the officer from sustaining additional injuries."

He added: “We commend this man for his selfless intervention.”

A fundraiser set up for Mr Burrows by the DC Department of Human Services has raised almost $10,000 (£8,000).

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