VIDALIA &8212; A Ferriday Police Officer was arrested Wednesday in connection with a weekend stabbing in Vidalia.

Officer John Hawkins, 38, 120 Canal St., Ferriday, turned himself in to Vidalia police officers after a warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of aggravated battery.

Officers reported to a washateria on Martin Luther King Drive just after 4 a.m. Saturday morning in response to a report of a stabbing.

Hawkins allegedly stabbed Greatery Dotson, of Vidalia in his left forearm with a sharp object said to be an ice pick.

Dotson was treated and released from Natchez Regional Hospital.

Hawkins was released after posting $2,500 bond.

Ferriday Police Chief Richard Madison had no comment on the arrest and said he would talk to Mayor Gene Allen to decide whether to suspend Hawkins, either with or without pay.

Vidalia Police Chief Billy Hammers said Hawkins willingly turned himself in when informed the warrant had been issued and that all procedures were followed.

&8220;We took statements from the victim and a witness, took them to the district attorney and the judge put a $2,500 bond on him, just like anyone else,&8221; Hammers said.

In a felony case, once charges are filed, only a judge can drop them, and only then after a probable cause hearing.