SLIDELL- A man is facing several charges after attempting to disarm a police officer.

David Lewis, 37, is charged with theft, resisting an officer by violence, disturbing the peace by public intoxication, battery on a police officer, and attempting to disarm a police officer. Lewis was booked into the Slidell City Jail, and will be transported to the St. Tammany Parish Jail.

The incident occurred Thursday shortly before 8 p.m. at a Walmart on Natchez Drive. According to a release, an officer attempted to detain Lewis for shoplifting. As the officer tried to stop him, Lewis began "violently fighting" the officer.

During the struggle, the two fell to the floor. The officer's radio was pulled from his belt and he was unable to call for help. A bystander saw the struggle, took the radio, and pushed the officer's emergency button which alerted other officers of the distress call.

According to the release, Lewis tried to take the officer's gun from his holster. Seeing this, two other bystanders jumped to help the officer. After the officer's backup arrived, Lewis was handcuffed and taken into custody.

"Normally it’s our citizens calling for help, but in this case, one of our officers needed help," said Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal. "Several good citizens answered the call and put themselves in harm's way in order to assist. This is why we love our community. It makes it much easier to protect and serve knowing the citizens of our city have our backs.”

No serious injuries were reported.