A Bridgeport Police officer who was involved in a fight with a suspect arrested on drug charges earlier this week is doing fine, Bridgeport Deputy Chief Mark Rogers said.

 

The incident took place Monday after the city police were asked to respond to a suspicious vehicle complaint. At that time, Officer W.J. Cunningham responded and was joined by a ride along from a non-certified officer who assisted Cunningham.

 

Eventually, Cunningham and 23-year-old Nolan Bryan Eickleberry had a physical altercation during the situation. Cunningham had various contusions but was not seriously hurt.

 

“He was actually back to work (Tuesday),” said Rogers. “He still has a couple of bruisers and is sore but is otherwise unharmed. We had him checked medically as our officers’ safety is paramount and he checked out fine.”

 

The suspicious vehicle call was around White Oaks. The car came to a stop at the Holiday Inn Express, which is located just off Jerry Dove Drive.

 

Eickleberry, who was not alone in the vehicle in question, started the altercation by shoving Cunningham. He then took off and threw an item from his hand that Rogers said later field tested as fentanyl. As Cunningham appeared to have Eickleberry subdued, Eickleberry punched Cunningham to again run away. The second time, with help of the other officer, Eickleberry was taken into custody.

 

According to Rogers, Eickleberry faces felony charges of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl and methamphetamine. Other charges, including battery of an officer and driving offenses, are likely, Rogers said.

 

Rogers said altercations “are not the norm,” but that it can change when meth is involved. Although Eickleberry was not drug tested, Rogers said from experience meth users – even individuals who are typically non-aggressive – become aggressive with prolonged use of the drug. Whether that was the case here is unknown.

 

“It was a good thing (Cunningham) had someone there to assist him. That’s not a typical situation, for that matter, it’s not typical to have anyone from the area to attack and officer like this,” said Rogers. “If he were alone, it could have been a two against one situation. Fortunately, it didn’t end up like that.”

 

Eickleberry, who is from Morgantown, suffered injuries as well. He was treated and released at United Hospital Center and taken back into custody.

 

As for the other individual in the vehicle, Rogers said he was released. He said the individual “didn’t do anything” and was cooperative.

 

“(Eickleberry) had warrants on him and gave false information on who he was and was willing to physically engage with an officer to get away,” said Rogers. “It’s a shame.”

 

Cunningham was cleared of any wrongdoing after reviewing the police car’s dashboard video and audio system. The officer riding along also provided a statement on the situation.

 

Eickleberry was being held in the North Central Regional Jail. Along with these charges, he had outstanding warrants in Monongalia County, according to the jail’s Web site.