“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
|  Monday, Oct 19, 2009  |  Updated 5:04 PM EDT
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“Last Samurai” of DelCo Attacks Cop With Sword

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Put Your Sword Down, Samurai

Samurai sword-wielding George Rodgers attacked a police officer on Sunday. He threatened to burn his house down and was equipped with knives, a crossbow and a gun.
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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.

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.
 

Posted Oct 19, 2009
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