'Officer Of The Year' Involved In Shooting In Norman

The Norman Police Department has released the name of the officer who shot a suspect last week outside a gas station.

Police say Richard Darwin Eaton, 44, walked into a Wendy's fast food restaurant May 1 and punched an employee. Officer Glenda Vassar confronted Eaton outside the Sinclair station at Main and Hal Muldrow.

5/2/2013 Related Story: Norman Police Release Name Of Suspect Shot By Officer

Police say Eaton was armed with a knife and advanced toward Vassar. Vassar shot Eaton. The suspect was released Friday from OU Medical Center, and transferred to the Cleveland County jail.

Vassar has been employed by the Norman Police Department since September 2010. Earlier this year, she was recognized as Officer of the Year for 2012, the first woman to win the honor. She remains on administrative leave until the department finishes its investigation of the shooting.