Brookline Cops Commended for Defusing Potentially 'Deadly' Traffic Stop Involving Armed Felon

Four Brookline police officers were commended for their actions during a potentially “deadly” incident in May involving an armed felon.

Patrol officers Estifanos Zerai-Misgun, Oscar Santos, Brian Bridges, and Joshua Lemay were acknowledged for their efforts by Police Chief Daniel O’Leary.

According a police report, Zerai-Misgun stopped a vehicle with two occupants on Beacon Street on May 6. The passenger had a warrant for domestic violence and was known to be a “career criminal” with charges for assault with intent to murder, among other offenses.

Zerai-Misgun ordered the man to step out of the car but he refused and fought officers who tried to arrest him. He allegedly threatened the officers and said he would rather “die than go back to jail.” Officers eventually subdued him. They then found a loaded, .38-caliber gun in his pocket.

“Clearly, had this violent subject managed to get his hands free and obtain his firearm, the results could have been deadly,” O’Leary wrote in his commendation. “All officers used sound defensive techniques, cooperation and a determination to take this subject safely into custody.”

The commendation was one of several O’Leary handed out this month.