FIRST ON 3: Leland Police officer beaten during field sobriety test

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — A Leland Police officer was beaten Thursday night while trying to give a field sobriety test.

Warrants show Sgt. J. Keel possibly has a fractured elbow and needed stitches for cuts on his head and arm.

Sgt. Keel was attempting to give Joseph Allan Lambert a sobriety test, but police say Lambert came out of the car swinging. The warrant says the suspect repeatedly punched and kicked officer Keel in the face.

Leland Police say Lambert was charged with assault on a government official, felony assault on a law enforcement officer inflicting serious injury, resisting a public officer and DWI. Police say Lambert’s bond was set at $50,000, but at his first court appearance the judge granted a motion to increase his bond to $100,000 and that Lambert be placed on electronic house arrest.