Man arrested for July 4 assault of Cape Girardeau police officer

The Cape Girardeau police arrested an 18-year-old man Friday for assaulting a police officer trying to make an arrest for illegal fireworks on July 4.

Marcus A. Rice of 1038 West Mount Drive allegedly struck Sgt. Kevin Orr on the his forehead with a heavy, blunt object on South Hanover Street. Orr was responding to a call for help from patrolman Adam Glueck, who was investigating reports of fireworks on the street. A large crowd was gathered when Glueck arrived.

Glueck and Orr approached three juveniles carrying backpacks loaded with fireworks, patrolman Jason Selzer said. Orr grabbed one of the young men and was attempting to handcuff him when Rice allegedly struck him, Selzer said.

Glueck was chasing one of the juveniles at that time.

The incident escalated, a crowd gathered around and Orr drew his gun. The crowd dispersed when officers from the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City police departments and other jurisdictions arrived to help, Selzer said.

Rice is charged with two felonies -- assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest -- and a misdemeanor, interfering with an arrest. Bond was set at $30,000.

Identifying Rice was difficult, Selzer said. "We just kept interviewing different people. It was good detective work and it has taken a while."

The incident also generated complaints of excessive force and police use of racial epithets. The investigation of those complaints has been "generally" completed and is under review by top officials of the department, Selzer said.