State Trooper Edward Andersson, a 27-year veteran, responded to a call of gunfire near the freeway. When he arrived at the scene, Andersson found a flipped car and a woman who had been ejected during the crash. As he began setting up road flares he was shot in the shoulder and chest by a man who police believe was the driver of the wrecked vehicle. The shooter then attacked Andersson with his hands, beating the injured officer’s head into the pavement.

That’s when something pretty amazing happened. A passing motorist saw Andersson being attacked and stopped his car. He ran out and asked the trooper if he needed help. Andersson said yes. CNN describes what happened next:

The man who came upon the scene warned the suspect to stop striking the officer, but the assailant continued, said Capt. Damon Cecil, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The good Samaritan got a gun from his car and shot the suspect, who died at the scene.

Afterwards, the motorist used the trooper’s radio to report “officer down” and directed the dispatcher to the proper location for medical help.

Speaking of the motorist who intervened in the attack, Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead said, “My trooper would not be alive without his assistance.” He also tweeted that Officer Anderssen is recovering from his injuries:

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers this morning for our Trooper that was shot. Looks like he will be okay after some recovery @Arizona_DPS

— Col. Frank Milstead (Ret.) (@frank_milstead) January 12, 2017

This video report includes some images of the scene and additional detail:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkgkkMtOebs