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Multiple charges filed in attack on Dawson County officer

Cops throw the book at man who attacked cop who tried to help him

A man who attacked a Dawson County sheriff's sergeant Tuesday could face many years in prison if convicted on all the charges filed against him.

Sheriff Jeff Johnson provided the list of charges filed against Justin Alan Foster to 11Alive News. They include two counts of battery, three counts of hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, aggravated assault with intent to rob, aggravated assault against a peace officer, aggravated battery against a peace officer, obstruction, attempted removal of a weapon from a public official, robbery by force and attempted assault with the intent to murder.

Foster was charged after Sgt. Randy Harkness picked him up on Georgia 400 and gave him a "courtesy ride",

When they arrived in the parking lot of a Chevron station. police say they exited the police car. They say Foster then struck Harkness in the face after the officer tried to give him money. A woman who witnessed the incident pulled out a gun and shot Foster once in the chest.

Foster tried to escape on foot into an adjacent parking lot, and, police say, attempted to carjack two vehicles, injuring an elderly woman in the process. He was eventually tackled by several men, and taken into custody by deputies.

Sheriff Johnson says Sgt. Harkness was not seriously hurt in the incident and was treated and released. He has refused to release the name of woman who came to the officer's aid, referring only to her as a "Good Samaritan".

Foster is being held in Dawson County jail without bond.

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