“Last Samurai” of DelCo Attacks Cop With Sword

Man armed with Samurai sword and cross bow threatens to light house on fire

By TERESA MASTERSON

Updated 5:04 PM EST, Mon, Oct 19, 2009

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A Delaware County man threatening to light his parents' house on fire attacked an Upper Darby police officer with a Samurai sword early Sunday, police say.

Police dubbed him “The Last Samurai.”

Police responded to the 4000 block of Dayton Road after a woman called saying her 36-year-old son, George Henry Rodgers, was “acting strangely.” Rodgers was threatening to douse the house in gasoline and set it on fire.

Warned that Rodgers was equipped with a Samurai sword and a cross bow, officer Dan Lanni carried a police shield as he approached the room where Rodgers was hiding, police say.

A Samurai sword was among the weapons found on George Henry Rodgers when police arrested him on charges stemming from his attack on an Upper Darby police officer.

Put Your Sword Down, Samurai

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Put Your Sword Down, Samurai

Rodgers leapt out of a bedroom wielding a Samurai sword, swinging and slashing at Lanni. Rodgers landed three blows on Lanni’s shield. Lanni defended himself with the shield and a taser and successfully took Rodgers into custody.

Rodgers, who has an “extensive criminal history,” had a picture of a skull wearing a German military helmet with a Nazi swastika on it, a gun, and knives, in addition to the sword and crossbow.

He was arrested on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault.