Law enforcers are always on duty to serve and protect the community. But sometimes, they need a helping hand from the community itself.

Just after 11 a.m. Monday, a Salt Lake police officer was attempting to pull over a vehicle for a routine traffic violation when the vehicle sped away into the nearby KOA campground, 1280 W. 150 North.

The officer followed the car into the campground and spotted the driver outside the vehicle, said Salt Lake police detective Dennis McGowan. As the officer attempted to place handcuffs on the man, he became combative and started wrestling with the officer.

Both men ended up on the ground during the struggle.

Two KOA employees, Kyle Menlove and Evan Witt, had seen the man's vehicle enter at a high rate of speed, followed by the police car a few moments later.

"The cop pulled over and talked to him, and next thing I knew the cop was struggling trying to arrest him," Menlove said. "He was struggling trying to hold him there."

"The cop is yelling, 'Come help, come help,' " Witt added. "The guy was struggling like crazy and putting up a fight. He was just screaming and yelling and struggling."

Both Menlove and Witt rushed over to help restrain the suspect.

One man pinned one of the man's arms and the other held his legs. While the struggling man wasn't exceptionally big, Witt said, he was very strong and going crazy.

"We just held him down 'til more officers arrived. It was quite the experience," Witt said.

The man was arrested without further incident.

Salt Lake police called the response by Witt and Menlove "bold."

"Without this citizen response, the incident could have escalated into something far more dangerous for all involved," police said in a written statement.

Ivaylo Jensen, 24, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of fleeing and resisting arrest. The officer suffered a few minor scrapes and scratches.

"It felt pretty cool. It was a different experience," said Menlove on the arrest. "I didn't realize how hard it could be to arrest someone."

Witt said he had a new appreciation for police work.

"It kind of puts it in perspective for you … how much officers go through every day to keep us safe. It's not a walk in the park. They do a lot of hard work."

e-mail: preavy@desnews.com