LAPLACE — A St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office police officer was injured this morning (March 21) while responding to a report of an unknown male armed with a gun walking along Yorktowne Drive in LaPlace.

The officer observed the suspect on foot, fleeing the area along a canal bank.

While in pursuit of the suspect, the officer crashed his unit into a canal.

Emergencies medical services arrived on scene and administered aid to the officer, who police said sustained a broken arm, broken ribs, broken jaw and other injuries.

The officer was taken to a New Orleans hospital, where he is being treated, police said.

The suspect was apprehended, according to authorities.