7NEWS can reveal the police officer who survived being stabbed in the neck in the line of duty in Adelaide’s north is a 39-year-old senior constable.

She was among officers who responded to multiple public reports of a man armed with a large knife running into traffic on Main North Rd in Elizabeth East about 11am yesterday.

WATCH ABOVE: A female police officer hospitalised after being stabbed in the neck

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7NEWS has also learnt she did not fire the shot into the suspect’s leg, before the 27-year-old Woodville Gardens man was arrested by police and taken to hospital in police custody.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens revealed on radio station 5AA he visited the officer with the Deputy Commissioner last night.

“I visited Jessie late yesterday, she’s in good spirits, she’s incredibly lucky,” he said.

“The officer who was with Jessie was put in a situation where he had to discharge his firearm, he shot the offender, he’s continued on and stabbed Jessie in the neck.

A police officer was stabbed and a man shot in Adelaide’s north. Credit: 7NEWS

“We’re hoping she’s released today.”

Her actions have been described as courageous by senior police.

The premier also paid tribute to her, saying the attack was a “stark reminder of the extraordinary risks police officers face every single day”.

The senior constable’s wounds are considered serious, but not life-threatening and she is recovering in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

7NEWS has also learnt the suspect tried to enter several cars along the busy road after he stabbed the officer, including one vehicle with a baby in the back seat.

He is expected to be charged when he’s medically cleared and will face serious charges.

Investigations into the attack are ongoing, with at least three departments involved.