Sep 16, 2024

Kan. school resource officer injured during incident at football game

Posted Sep 16, 2024 4:56 PM
Cordova photo Saline County Jail
Cordova photo Saline County Jail

SALINE COUNTY —A Mulvane man was arrested on Friday night after a physical altercation with police and security personnel at Salina Central Stadium following the Salina South vs. Maize South football game. 

Just after 9:30 p.m., a school resource officer and a security guard were called to remove an adult spectator from the game due to disruptive behavior, according to Salina Police Department (SPD) Captain James Feldman.

A Salina South High School resource officer was approached by Salina South High staff wanting an adult fan from from Maize South removed from the game due to his behavior in the stands,  according to Feldman 

The suspect, later identified as Jonathan Cordova, 43, of Mulvane, initially complied with the request to leave the stadium but refused to vacate the property entirely, stating he needed to wait for someone.

Feldman could not provide details on the specific behavior that led to Cordova's removal from the stadium.

The officer told Cordova again to leave, and then he refused and proceeded to take steps towards the school resource officer.

The school resource then attempt to apprehend the suspect.

Cordova struck the 38-year-old resource officer multiple times in the head and also punched the 63-year-old security guard. The resource officer sustained a contusion above her left eye and the security guard suffered a head injury.

Attempts to subdue Cordova with a taser were initially unsuccessful, but after a second deployment, the taser was effective and he was taken into custody.

Cordova was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, battery on a security guard, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct, according to online jail records.