A Zanesville police sergeant was injured Wednesday afternoon when a man seeking help became violent.

According to Captain Scott Comstock, an officer on the afternoon shift was in the parking lot near the police department around 4:15 p.m when approached by a man who appeared to be in a manic state.

The man was making statements of desperation, saying “he couldn’t do this anymore” and needed help, said Comstock.

While waiting for an ambulance to arrive, a sergeant stopped to wait with the officer and man seeking medical treatment.

A third officer also arrived to speak with the supervisor regarding an unrelated call when the subject became aggressive.

According to Comstock, the man lunged at the last officer to arrive, provoking an altercation involving all parties.

The sergeant broke his finger in the struggle while the two patrolmen walked away with minor bumps and bruises.

Comstock said the attacker was arrested and booked into jail before being taken to the hospital for evaluation.

He has been charged with assault on a peace officer, a felony of the fourth degree, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.

The injured police sergeant is currently off-duty pending a follow-up occupational health appointment, Comstock said.