‘I've got your back!': Pub worker prevents knife attack on Hyannis officer

HYANNIS, Mass. — A pub worker in Hyannis is being credited for helping to prevent a knife attack on a police officer early Thursday morning.

Police said they were called to the Duck Inn Pub on Main Street to investigate reports of problems with an unknown drunk man.

Officer James Melia spoke with staff members at the pub who told him that the man, later identified as 44-year-old Mark Zwick, of West Yarmouth, was starting fights with patrons.

Melia spoke with Zwick and then attempted to place him in to protective custody based on his extreme level of intoxication when he ignored Melia’s commands and began to fight with him.

Melia then began to struggle with Zwick for several minutes on the ground until a pup worker, identified as David Duncan, said, “I’ve got your back.”

At that point Duncan began to yell, “Drop the knife,” as an unknown man began to move at the officer while holding a knife.

Melia was unaware that a man was approaching with a knife preparing to attack him.

The man was about two to three feet from Melia when Duncan physically disarmed the man and threw the knife to a safe place.

Several other police officers arrived a short time later and arrested Zwick and the other man.

“The Barnstable Police Department commends Mr. Duncan for his selfless, quick reaction in a very dangerous situation,” the Department said in a statement.

The man who was disarmed was identified as Christopher Robson, 49, of Hyannis. He was charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon and was booked at the Barnstable Police Department where he was held until his arraignment.

Cox Media Group