Man Honored for Lending Police a Hand : Commendation: The Valencia businessman says he acted on instinct when he came to the aid of officers in Hollywood while a crowd watched.

John L. McManus said he acted on instinct. The 46-year-old Valencia businessman was driving on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood when he saw a crowd at Orange Avenue. Then he saw two police officers struggling with a 240-pound man who had injured both of them and was continuing to pummel them.

Then McManus did what Los Angeles police said none of the estimated 50 other onlookers did. He helped.

He pulled his car onto the sidewalk to block the assailant’s escape from the officers, got out and helped the officers tackle him.

“We sandwiched him,” McManus said Tuesday after receiving a commendation from the Los Angeles Police Commission for getting involved in the Nov. 26 incident.

“It’s a very important occurrence,” showing “the police can’t do it alone,” Commission Chairman Stanley K. Sheinbaum said.

Detectives Terry Minton, who suffered a broken wrist, and Michael Rafter, who suffered a knee injury, said they and others might have been seriously injured if not for McManus’ efforts.

“Undoubtedly, there would have been more injuries,” said Minton, who added that he was surprised that anybody helped him. “I think it is great. We could use more help like that.”

The man McManus helped subdue, Charles MacGregor, 36, was charged with assault and later found not guilty by reason of insanity, police said. Minton said he and his partner had seen MacGregor indiscriminately assaulting people on the street and tried to stop him when the man turned on them.

Having nearly a year to think about what he did, McManus said Tuesday he still is not sure why he jumped into the middle of the fray.

“I really don’t have an explanation for what I did,” he said. “I just knew the two officers needed help.”