Policeman Faces Assault Charges
An off-duty San Diego police officer who fired shots at four men who reportedly attacked him with a golf club has been identified as Michael Moller. He faces felony assault charges, police said.
None of the men were hit by the gunfire and all fled the scene, but two of them--36-year-old Timothy Johnson, a transient, and 29-year-old Carl Burch of Los Gatos, Calif.--were arrested a short time later on suspicion of beating Moller, police said.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Sept. 19, 1992 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday September 19, 1992 San Diego County Edition Metro Part B Page 2 Column 3 Metro Desk 2 inches; 71 words Type of Material: Correction
Attack on officer--Because of an editing error, a story Friday incorrectly implied that San Diego Police Officer Michael Moller faces felony assault charges in a case where four men attacked him with a golf club. That case is being investigated in accordance with Police Department policy, a police spokesman said, and no charges have been filed.
In an unrelated case last month, Moller was ordered to stand trial on a felony charge of assault under color of authority after breaking the nose of a homeless man.
The incident began about 7:20 p.m. Tuesday near 13th and Market streets. The men approached Moller and his friends and a fight started. Moller suffered cuts on the back of his head from the golf club and was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released.
During the fight, police say, he identified himself as a police officer and fired four warning shots.
Moller is being investigated in accordance with department policy, a police spokesman said.
An officer for three years, Moller has been the focus of three previous police investigations, including two shootings that occurred before he joined the San Diego Police Department.
Last month, Moller was ordered to stand trial on a felony charge of assault under color of authority for breaking the nose of a homeless man.
