Police arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of battery of a Lawrence police officer early Sunday morning.

Ryan Anthony Branch of Mansfield, which is about six miles southeast of Garden City, was arrested after allegedly punching the officer in the face, said Lawrence police Sgt. Myrone Grady.

The incident occurred when the officer attempted to break up a fight between Branch and another man about 2 a.m. in the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street, Grady said.

The officer was handcuffing Branch when he was punched in the back of the head by the other man, who then fled, Grady said. When the officer turned back around to face Branch, Branch allegedly punched him twice in the face, Grady said. The other man was not located.

Branch is in the Douglas County Jail with no bond on suspicion of battery of a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct and possession of a suspended or fake driver’s license, according to the Douglas County Sherriff’s Office booking log.