BUCKHANNON — The Buckhannon Police Department is asking for the public’s help as they search for a man who allegedly placed a police officer in a chokehold after being approached along the train tracks.

The BPD has an active warrant for the arrest of Blaine Browning, according to a press release.

The individual should be considered armed and dangerous. Call 911 if you see this individual; do not approach him.

The warrant is for strangulation as a result of allegedly assaulting BPD officer Sam Kraemer, who had encountered Browning while responding to a suspicious person call on the train tracks behind the trade school.

The incident occurred on Sunday, May 31, according to city information coordinator Callie Cronin Sams.

During the altercation, Browning allegedly placed Kraemer in a chokehold, which caused the officer to lose breath from being choked.

Kraemer was treated and released from St. Joseph’s Hospital as a result of injuries sustained in this altercation.

Sams said Tuesday the decision to release the information and seek the public’s help was a result of several potential leads not panning out.

“The decision to release the information and seek the public’s help today had to do with the fact that they originally had several leads, but those didn’t result in an arrest, so the police department is seeking help and information from residents,” Sams told My Buckhannon.

• Anonymous Tip Line: (304) 473-1001
• Buckhannon Police Department: (304) 472-5723
• Online Tip Form