Three days later, Officer Dina Johnson was slammed against a kitchen counter while intervening a family dispute in Pasadena. The attack left her with an injured forearm and shoulder - and a trip to Anne Arundel Medical Center in Parole to be checked out.

The three latest attacks on officers are of concern to the county Police Department, which has seen an increase in officer assaults in recent weeks, said Sgt. John Gilmer, a county police spokesman. And they bring to light the dangers county police face daily, he said.

So far this year, there have been about 100 reported assaults on county officers. Last year, 217 officers were assaulted on the job. Many of these attacks took place while the officer was enforcing a law or making an arrest.

While it looks as if this year's numbers are similar to last year's, Sgt. Gilmer said three assaults in four days is alarming.

In 2005, an amendment was made to the state's Criminal Law that makes it a felony to intentionally injure an officer while they're on duty. Those found guilty face up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

"We wanted to make the public aware of this amendment," Sgt. Gilmer said. "This is not for the law abiding public. It's for the individuals who have it on their mind to assault a police officer. They need to know this (the consequences).

"We are here to protect and serve, and our officers, they want to go home at night in the same condition they came in to work."

Yesterday morning, police were called to the 8200 block of Old Mill Road in Pasadena for a domestic dispute involving a man armed with a knife, police said.

At the home, police learned the parents of a child were arguing about how to discipline their kids.

When officers attempted to arrest the father, the man picked up a frying pan and refused to put it down.

As officers wrangled the man into handcuffs, he fought back, pushing Officer Johnson against the counter top. The assault caused bruising and swelling to the officer's forearm. She was taken to the hospital and later released.

Monroe Graham Page, 18, of 8200 Old Mill Road was charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and failure to obey a law enforcement officer.

Earlier this week, two officers were injured in separate struggles with suspects within a 24-hour time span.

At 10:50 p.m., officers went to the 1400 block of Stoney Point Way in Curtis Bay to handle an eviction dispute.

While officers tried to calm down those involved, the landlord became "verbally abusive" toward the officer and struck Officer Zukowski, injuring his right shoulder. Three officers had to force the combative landlord to the floor to get her in handcuffs.

Christine Marie Llano, 31, of the above address was charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest and failure to obey a law enforcement officer.

And just after 6:30 a.m. that day, a county police officer was shot by a suspect near the Baltimore City line.

Officials still aren't releasing the name of the 30-year-old officer, who appears to have been saved by the bulletproof vest he was wearing. He is a 4-year veteran of the department.

County officers were questioning a man who was suspected of ransacking a stolen car Tuesday morning on Audrey Avenue in Brooklyn Park.

When an officer started to search the man, he scuffled with the officer. The officer shocked the man with a Taser, but the man was still able to pull out a gun and fire shots at the officer.

The officer was treated at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore and was released Wednesday.