Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a four-part series of articles about staff writer Matt Milner’s ride-along with members of the Ottumwa Police Department.

OTTUMWA — Sgt. Nick Wadding’s shift starts at 10 p.m., but he’s early this evening. On this night it seems like trouble has been waiting for him to arrive.

Wadding rushes out at a quarter to 10 when dispatch reports a domestic dispute in progress on North Walnut Street. Several other officers respond as well. He is almost at the house when dispatch reports that the suspect ran out the home’s rear exit wearing “only pants.” Wadding pulls the car onto a cross street and jumps out. It’s the most direct route to the area the suspect entered.

The search begins behind the homes, in an area with trees, mud and a few open areas. It’s dark. Downed limbs make footing treacherous. It’s not a good situation, especially since the officers are on unfamiliar ground and their flashlights show the suspect where they are.

But the police have numbers. While several continue the search, others go to the house to talk to the victim. There are other family members present and emotions are high. It’s tense and potentially volatile.

The suspect, surprisingly, comes back to the house while police are still there. There’s shouting inside and the people on the front lawn eye the house warily. They hear a struggle and more shouting. The front door finally bangs open as four officers wrestle the suspect outside.

The suspect is drunk and angry. He’s roaring like a bull, cursing everyone within sight and fighting the officers. It’s not going to work. There are four officers and he’s handcuffed and off balance, but he doesn’t care.

The police haul him to a patrol car and open the back door. The suspect won’t go. It’s easy to resist going into a car, just freeze and tense up. The officers shout instructions.

“Get in the car!”

The suspect snarls an unintelligible epithet.

“Get in the car!”

This time he manages something intelligible, but unprintable.

“Get in the car!”

It’s not happening. Officers switch approaches after a dozen verbal attempts to get the man into the car.

“Get in the car, or you’re going to be tased!” one yells.