Decatur Man Wanted for Attack on Atlanta Police Officer

Atlanta Police are looking for a Decatur man they believe struck an officer Thursday evening.

Investigator Patrick Apaoian, a zone six officer, was hit by a car while investigating a crime near the interection of College Avenue and Sisson Avenue Thursday afternoon.

He sustained injuries to his leg and chest, according to a police spokesman, and he remains in stable condition at Grady Hospital.

Police believe 29-year-old Khalif Edwards of Decatur is reponsible for Apaoian's injuries. Edwards is wanted for aggravated assault, aggravated battery, simple battery, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and cruelty to children in the third degree "in connection with a confrontation he had with Inv. Patrick Apoian on Thursday evening," according to a police spokesman.

Inv. Apoian will need "further treatment as a result of the serious injuries he sustained," a police spokesman said via e-mail Friday.

Apaoian is the founder of Humble Heroes, a nonprofit that helps injured or sick officers and their families, and the lead officer of a private Eastlake patrol service. He has worked for the Atlanta Police Department for nine years.

Anyone who has any information about the crime or Edwards is urged to call Crimestoppers at 404-577-TIPS or call 911.