UPDATE: Danbury Police Officer Brutally Attacked

DANBURY, CT — Det. Lt. Christian Carroccio of the Danbury Police Department said on Monday that Officer Pooler is recovering form injuries sustained in a brutal attack on Sunday.

A 20-year-old Danbury man viciously attacked Poole who was unable to immediately radio for help during the struggle.

"At this time we have not established any motive for the attack, but this is still an active and ongoing investigation. Officer Pooler and the entire Department greatly appreciates the outpouring of support we have received."

Original post: A Danbury police officer was brutally attacked on Saturday shortly after 11 p.m. near Jimmy's Market on Germantown Road, according to a report. Danbury Police Dispatch received a 911 phone call reporting that a man was viciously assaulting a Danbury police officer on Germantown Road. The man was later identified as Pierre Elhayek, age 20, of Danbury.

Officer Joe Pooler was parked in the lot of 38 Germantown Road at Jimmy's Market in his clearly marked patrol cruiser when he said he observed Elhayek "pacing up and down Germantown Road two to three times" before he suddenly approached his cruiser and began banging and kicking the vehicle.

Pooler said he got out of the police cruiser because he thought Elhayek was trying to get his attention for help. Elhayek immediately attacked Pooler, striking him on the side of the head and ear, police said, and a violent struggle ensued.

Elhayek punched and kicked the officer in the head and body numerous times, police said. Pooler lost his Taser during the struggle and was unable to get to his portable radio for help, but after some time, he was able to get back inside his cruiser and radio for assistance, police said.

Elhayek continued to kick and bang on the cruiser while Pooler was inside, police said. Several backup officers quickly arrived and took Elhayek into custody after a brief struggle, according to police. Pooler was treated and released from Danbury Hospital, police said.

Pooler, 55, is a 14-year veteran of the police force and in 2015 was named Officer of the Year.

The Hat City Housing Herald reports that Pooler has served as a member of the patrol division, as a crisis negotiator, in the Emergency Services Unit and as Sniper Team leader.

Elhayek was charged with second-degree assault, assault of a police officer, interfering with a police officer, second-degree breach of peace and criminal mischief. He is being held on a $250,000 bond. He is due in Bantam Superior Court on Sept. 9 to answer to the charges, according to the Connecticut Judicial Court.