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GREENSBORO -- The assault charge against a 79-year-old man called the "Patriotic Grandpa'' was dropped this morning by Guilford District Attorney Doug Henderson.

The controversial case ended with a whisper as Alexander Kohanowich stood with his attorney Seth Cohen in a Greensboro courtroom.

The case was never discussed in open court.

Is dropping the charge the right decision? Join the discussion at the Debatables blog.

Kohanowich said afterward he was happy with the result. He would like for the city to apologize and pay for his legal expenses. But he has no plans to sue.

"I love this city," he said outside the courtroom. "I had a choice to move to Greensboro and I certainly have no hard feelings." (Listen to an interview)

The decision ends a controversy that started more than a month ago in the grassy median beside the Greensboro Coliseum complex.

On March 26, when Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama came to town, Kohanowich stood in the median across from the War Memorial Auditorium and held three signs about patriotism and supporting the troops.

After standing there for an hour and 40 minutes, Greensboro police Officer Lester Prescod approached Kohanowich to tell him he had to leave. Police say Kohanowich - along with at least 15 other people -- had been told three times to move.

The other people moved. Kohanowich didn't.

At the time, Kohanowich was being interviewed by Jeff Tiberii, a radio reporter from WFDD (88.5 FM).

Here's what Kohanowich said happened: He turned, placed his left hand on Prescod's right shoulder and intended to tell him he got an OK to stand there from a motorcycle cop.

Here's what Prescod and the police say happened: Kohanowich raised his voice to the extent it became noticeable to another officer across the street. Then, Kohanowich reached forward and shoved Prescod's shoulder, leading to his arrest.

He was charged with misdemeanor assault against a government official.

His arrest caused a firestorm of criticism nationwide, some of which was caused by how the arrest went down. Kohanowich, a grandfather known as "Pop,'' was put flat on the ground, hands behind his back.

High Point's WGHP (Channel 8), called Kohanowich a "Patriotic Grandpa.'' Meanwhile, the police department launched a review of the arrest because what it called "inordinate number of inquiries regarding the circumstances of the arrest.''

The review found that the police - particularly Prescod, 43, a 14-year veteran with the police department - had acted appropriately.

After the story first appeared in the News & Record, Kohanowich's case was picked up by national syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin and prompted a flurry of calls and e-mails about the case from as far away as Indiana, Mississippi and California.

Malkin's headline: "Drop the charges against Pop.''

Contact Jeri Rowe at 373-7374 or jeri.rowe@news-record.com.