Deputies investigate alleged attempted suicide by cop

HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn.–Henderson county deputies are investigating an alleged attempted suicide by cop.

Investigators said David Robert Neuwar made three calls to 911 Thursday morning.”They were responding to a call of an unwanted person on the premises,” Henderson county Sheriff Brian Duke said.

Investigators said when Deputies arrived at the home on Juno Lane, they attempted to make contact by knocking on the front door. When Neuwar answered he was armed with a 4-foot sword, according to Sheriff Duke.

“It would have penetrated a bullet resistant vest had enough pressure been applied,” Sheriff Duke said.

Having only been patrolling since October, Deputy Amber Robertson is fresh on the force.

Sheriff Duke said she was wearing a body cam, which is required on her shoulder as she walked toward Neuwar’s home.

Investigators said she was the first to encounter Neuwar and his attempt to use the sword.

The deputy verbally commanded the man to drop the weapon and he refused, according to Sheriff Duke, forcing deputies to taze Neuwar.

“Everything she did fell into place exactly the way it should be,” Sheriff Duke said.

Investigators say Neuwar was home alone and may have been trying to commit suicide by cop. “He was asking them to shoot him,” Duke said.

Neuwar has been booked into the jail facing multiple charges of aggravated assault on an officer, filing a false report and resisting arrest. He is being held without bond until his formal arraignment next Tuesday.

The case is still open and footage from multiple body cameras worn by the responding deputies is being reviewed at this time.

Sheriff Duke said he’s proud of how his officers handled the situation.

“This is an example of officers at their best,” he said,” they didn’t get hurt, and the assailant didn’t get hurt. ”