MADISON, WI (WKOW/CNN) - When Rickey Resch walked into Longhorn Steakhouse Thursday night, the restaurant's host was already suspicious.
Employee Lee Robertson led Resch to a table, but noticed odd behavior.
"It's like he was looking around to pick a target," Robertson said.
Robertson said Resch was twitching, grunting and twirling a restaurant steak knife until a man in a wheelchair came in for an anniversary dinner with his wife.
"I saw him get up instantly and all I could see is a knife and he's going towards somebody and he got him twice," Robertson said.
He said that suddenly his instincts just took over and with his adrenaline pumping he went after the man with the knife.
"That's when I jumped over the table to push him because I had nothing to defend myself with," Robertson said. "When he got up instantly he had this rage in his eyes."
As the suspect tried to stab the victim, this time in the chest, Robertson hit him with a chair.
"He went to the ground and everyone else came to help me detain him," Robertson said.
Last week, police said they would nominate Robertson for a citizen recognition award.
His brave actions already got praise from customers and coworkers.
"I get handshakes, I get hugs and it's nice that people appreciate something like that," Robertson said.
He’s just grateful he could help.
"When I'm here it's like my second home, so I feel I protect my home and anyone that's in my home, so I feel I did the right thing," Robertson said.
Police said the victim, a 63-year-old man from Illinois, needed stitches after the incident, but he's expected to be all right.
Investigators believe he was randomly attacked.
Resch was arrested and faces a charge of first degree reckless endangerment while armed.
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