Bill Johnson jailed for allegedly assaulting an Oregon police officer

Bill Johnson jailed for allegedly assaulting an Oregon police officer{mosimage}PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) – Olympic ski champion Bill Johnson was arrested on Friday for allegedly punching a sheriff’s deputy in the face during a traffic stop.

Johnson was stopped in his pickup truck by a Multnomah County sheriff’s deputy and a suburban Troutdale police officer on Friday afternoon. When the officers approached, Johnson pulled out his 1984 gold medal and taunted them by saying, “You don’t have one of these,” police said.

Johnson threw his keys at Deputy Jeff Cordes, reached out his window, grabbed the deputy’s shirt and punched him in the face. Johnson then refused to obey orders to exit the vehicle and lie on the ground, according to police.

Hours later, when an officer tried to interview Johnson in jail, he lunged at the officer, grabbed him by the vest and tried to hit him, said Lt. Bruce McCain of the sheriff’s office.

Johnson was booked at the Multnomah County Detention Center on two counts of resisting arrest, two counts of assaulting an officer and one count of driving while intoxicated. His bail was set at $17,500.

He was still in jail Saturday night and was being held until his arraignment Monday.

McCain said he didn’t know whether the 44-year-old Johnson would be charged for the altercation in jail.

The 1984 Olympic downhill champion, Johnson attempted a comeback to compete in the Salt Lake City Games, but suffered a brain injury during a training run in March 2001 and was in a coma for three weeks.

-The Associated Press