Heroic woman saves officer's life during roadside attack

Vickie Williams risked her life to save an officer under attack.

Vickie Williams-Tillman was on her way to the grocery store when she witnessed an officer arguing with a man standing outside his vehicle on the side of the road. As the verbal argument escalated into a physical confrontation, Williams-Tillman knew she had to act.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Williams-Tillman told the Advocate she was listening to gospel music in her vehicle as she made her way to Sam's Club and Walmart Sunday morning.

Along her way, she noticed an officer on the side of the road, arguing with an angry-looking man.

Williams-Tillman pulled up to ask if the officer needed help when the argument escalated. Frightened, she dialed 911 and described the situation from the safety of her vehicle.

When the suspect lunged at the officer and grabbed his baton, she knew she had to move.

The suspect was beating Baton Rogue police officer Billy Aime's head with the baton while he grabbed the officer's flashlight and radio. He was reaching for officer Aime's gun when the petite 56-year-old woman jumped onto his back and brought the assailant down.

Baton Rouge Police spokesman Sgt. L'Jean McKneely later reported officer Amie discovered 28-year-old Thomas Bennett asleep in his car with visible drug paraphernalia.

When the officer attempted to speak to Bennet, things quickly escalated into a brawl. Things were spiraling out of control until Williams-Tillman arrived.

"She made a big difference," McKneely reported. It wasn't until a second officer arrived to the scene that things really came under control.

The second officer shot Bennett with a stun gun and called emergency services to drive Amie, Williams-Tillman and Bennett to a nearby hospital.

Baton Rogue Police Department released a statement to their Facebook page, thanking Williams-Tillman for her heroism:

"For a special #BRPDSalutes today we want to thank a very special lady. ...For going above and beyond in that moment to help our officer and possibly save his life we are forever grateful to you Ms. Vickie! For showing so much love and concern for one of our officers BRPDSalutes you!"

Police Chief Carl Dabadie later told WAFB: "I can't think of probably very many people on one hand that would not have just rode by, or maybe made a phone call to 911. But Ms. Tillman went above and beyond."

"A lot of people passed him up," Williams-Tillman later stated. "They're human beings, just like us ... We're all one family."

Soon after the incident, Officer Amie was reunited with Williams-Tillman for a news conference.

She became emotional, saying: "I'm just glad that he's here. I'm just so happy, lost of words. I'm just so glad of the turnout. I know God led me in that direction when I left my home."

Officer Amie wrapped his arms around the petite woman, saying, "This is a true hero."

Bennett was taken to Parish Prison Sunday afternoon and was charged on counts of aggravated battery, disarming a police officer, better on a police officer, resisting an officer with violence, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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