Lending a WellTrained Hand

A martial artist who has a troubled history with cops stops to save one

- Eric Raskin

WHEN MARK ANTHONY GON-zales saw a police officer in need of assistance, every W element of the moral code instilled in him through his Brazilian jiu-jitsu training-morality, courage, benevolence-told him to stop his car and lend a hand. Even though he was out on bond following an arrest three months earlier for possession of a firearm, a charge that he had disputed and that would later be dropped. Even though he was on his way to work and had his wife, Rachel Ortiz, his four kids, ages 6 and under, and three other extended family members in the car. He saw an officer struggling with a suspect and knew what he had to do.

As Gonzales was driving to open up the martial arts gym where he trains and volunteers, he saw what looked like a police pursuit. A balding man of medium build, dressed in camouflage shorts, a black T-shirt and work boots, was running from a police officer at an intersection in San Antonio, Texas. Gonzales slowed down. So did the man being chased-to avoid running into Gonzales's minivan. That hesitation allowed the muscular officer to catch up and take the suspect to the ground.