I’m not going to excuse this, but if you’re in the heat of the moment and you’re having to think in micro-seconds, you may not be able to differentiate what you’re grabbing.
Having said that, why is a 73 year old man on the street trying to take down a man in his prime? He should be a support position or an instructor, not on the street. He’s a danger to himself or others around him.
Maybe he just had a senior moment.
At 73 the man should not be active or reserve in the police.