A man charged with attempting to run down a police officer near a cemetery outside the Nub Jones Assisted Living facility in April 2004 pleaded guilty Wednesday in Suffolk Circuit Court.

George Leroy Archer of the 400 block of South Broad Street, faces charges of assault on a law enforcement officer. Archer accepted an Alford plea, admitting that it was in his best interests to plead guilty while not admitting guilt. A charge of attempted malicious wounding was dropped as part of the plea agreement.

On April 25 of last year, a tow truck driver pulled into the Suffolk Used Auto Parts junkyard and noticed several people inside, allegedly stealing car parts, said police.

Police were called, and an officer reported that the people had ran into the convalescent center, which stands behind the yard. He also reported that a silver car was in the road leading to a cemetery outside the facility.

Several officers, including C. R. Butler, took posts around Nub Jones. Butler stood an estimated 600 feet from the home near the road, where he noticed a Plymouth fitting the officer’s description, according to police reports. The automobile moved toward Butler, who allegedly raised his hands and shouted for it to stop. When it didn’t, he leaped out of the way to avoid being struck, according to police reports.

Detective G. D. Myrick got into a police car and followed the car to Roland Street, where it was stopped. Archer was the only occupant of the car.

With an impaneled jury waiting in a room down the hall, Archer, 54, chose to plead guilty. Free on bond, he faces a sentence of up to five years when he is sentenced July 27.

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com