Sometimes, all it takes is the “flame-grilled taste with perfect toppers” of a Burger King Whopper to de-escalate even the craziest of conflicts.

Kitsap County deputies found themselves utilizing that very negotiation tool to help end a lengthy standoff between police and a man armed with a knife inside the Bucklin Hill Safeway in Silverdale.

Police were called to the store Nov. 4 at 9:17 a.m. after police said they received information about a man who had taken a large knife from behind the meat counter and walked around the store acting sporadically.

The store was evacuated, and deputies entered to find the man toward the front with the knife displayed and several more on him. Officials say the man was evidently going through a mental health crisis and was refusing to follow orders.

A deputy trained in negotiation was able to speak with the man and eventually found the suspect cooperative after offering him a Whopper obtained at a nearby location by responding Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue crew members.

The suspect separated himself from his weapon as part of the negotiation and, following a brief struggle, was detained by police and sedated by medics. One deputy suffered minor injuries after hitting his head on the ground.

The Safeway reopened around noon.