BARRE - Police are awaiting an update on the condition of a Barre man in critical condition today at Fletcher Allen Health Care who assaulted a police officer last night and then apparently experienced a heart attack or some other medical event.

Police are waiting to hear back from the man’s out-of-state family before disclosing his name, Chief Timothy Bombardier said.

At approximately 9:45 last night police responded to the China Palace Restaurant on Main St. to a report of an intoxicated patron sleeping at the table and refusing to leave the restaurant, police said.

The man was unresponsive until he woke up and hit the officer in the face with a closed fist, knocking the officer’s glasses off, according to police.

The man vomited on the floor, so Emergency Medical Services were summoned and upon arrival at Central Vermont Medical Center, the man’s heart stopped and he stopped breathing.

After being treated at CVMC, he was transported to FAHC, where he remains in critical condition.