Data Shows Rise in Police Officers Being Attacked, Ambushed On Duty

New data shows the seemingly random ambush of an Oklahoma City Police officer is part of a national trend. "It's horrific," Mark Nelson, president of the OKC Fraternal Order of Police said. "But seeing it hit close to home, it's disturbing." 

The incident involving an OCPD officer happened last Friday evening. "He had pulled over, he was flagged down by a citizen, talking to a citizen, when for whatever reason someone came out and began shooting at him," Gary Knight with OCPD explained. 

He said the officer was not seriously injured, but the ambush appeared deliberate. "The bullets actually came into the car, hit parts of the car, it even looks like the computer inside was hit by the gunfire," Knight said.   

The suspect, Michael Wilson, was arrested Friday night. 

Nelson says being in harm’s way is not outside the norm for OCPD's officers. "There's an inherent danger that comes along with this job," Nelson said. "What we don't expect is trying to help citizens, on a traffic stop or what not and some unprovoked, unrelated individual comes along with a gun and tries to kill an officer." 

The FOP wants to help correct this disturbing trend. "The overwhelming majority of men and women who take this job do so to protect and serve their communities. They really do," Nelson explained. 

He also said the FOP is looking inward to find the best way to recruit and retain high quality officers, and keep current ones safe. "We need to keep violent people behind bars where they can't victimize our cities and our communities," Nelson said. 

The OKC FOP says while there’s no perfect fix, the protection of OKC police officers and the citizens they serve is always the top priority

Man Accused Of Shooting At Oklahoma City Police Officer Arrested

The man accused of shooting at a police unit on Oct. 13, causing minor injuries to the officer, has been arrested.

The Oklahoma City Police Department said the suspect, 39-year-old Michael Wilson, was taken into custody without incident along the Northwest Expressway on Saturday.

On Friday, an officer was flagged down by a citizen around North Rockwell Avenue and West Wilshire Boulevard, police say. During the chat, another person started shooting at the officer.

Police charged Wilson with shooting with intent to kill, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

OCPD said the "ambush" shooting caused minor injuries to the OKCPD officer. The officer's unit was hit several times and bullets went inside. The computer unit was also struck.

MSgt. Gary Knight told News 9 that the officer pulled over to safety and called for help.

Wilson's previous convictions per the Oklahoma Department of Corrections include kidnapping, domestic assault and battery, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and second-degree burglary.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.