SAN JOSE, Calif. » A Northern California city police chief has tackled a murder suspect who was trying to escape.

NBC Bay Area reports San Jose Police Chief Larry Esquivel sprang into action Monday when a murder suspect who was brought in for questioning at the San Jose Police Department headquarters got out of his holding cell.

The suspect was still in handcuffs and scaling a 20-foot fence when Esquivel tackled him.

He ripped his shirt and scraped his elbow during the scuffle.

He tells the television station he was "doing his job."

NBC Bay Area says Esquivel was a standout linebacker in high school.