By Jim Clark

Somerville police officers responded to a call of a disturbance at 82 Columbus Avenue last week, and immediately upon arrival reportedly heard loud screaming coming from the common hallway.

Officer Robert Pasqualino spotted the man responsible for the noise and ordered him to stop screaming and to calm down, according to reports. The man ignored these commands, however, and attempted to push his way past the officers, police said. At this time Officer Pasqualino was reportedly knocked off-balance and fell down a short flight of stairs as he attempted to restrain the man, who Pasqualino deemed to be out of control, police said.

Officer Pasqualino sustained a serious injury to his knee as a result of the fall and was unable to walk properly because of it, according to reports.

Pasqualino was taken away by ambulance for treatment.

The subject of the disturbance, Colin Pickard, 26, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct.