The man who punched the Whitefish police chief in the nose on Halloween night last year will serve time behind bars.

Caleb Keilen Buzzell, 25, was sentenced May 28 to 15 years in the Department of Corrections with 10 suspended. In February, he pleaded no contest in Flathead District Court to charges of felony assault on a peace officer and felony possession of dangerous drugs.

According to court documents, two citizens came to the aid of Police Chief Bill Dial as he tried to arrest Buzzell near downtown on Halloween night.

Dial described Buzzell as belligerent and “completely intoxicated.”

In his account, Dial said he asked Buzzell if he had a ride home and then warned Buzzell twice about his hostile actions before firing a Taser. The Taser darts, however, could not penetrate Buzzell’s jacket. In the ensuing struggle, Dial said, he grabbed Buzzell’s arm and Buzzell punched him in the face.

Dial sad he was momentarily dazed after being punched.

Two citizens intervened and helped subdue Buzzell, but the incident left Dial with two black eyes and a broken nose.

As part of the sentencing, Buzzell is required to pay $6,917 in restitution to cover Dial’s medical costs.