Long Branch Police Officer Stabbed In Head Applauded As He Leaves Hospital

LONG BRANCH, NJ — Here's a video of Long Branch Police Officer Geter Benitez being applauded as he was released from Monmouth Medical Center Monday.

Benitez was stabbed in the head Saturday by a man who police say was trying to kill his ex-girlfriend.

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At 4:40 a.m. Saturday, Long Branch Police officers, one of which was Benitez, were called to an apartment on the 200 block of Cleveland Avenue for a 911 call of domestic violence.

As officers arrived, a man there, Faustino Leiva, began stabbing his ex-girlfriend in the home with a large knife, said police.

Upon hearing the victim’s screams, Benitez immediately ran toward Leiva and tackled him off the victim. As Benitez attempted to place Leiva under arrest, the man stabbed him in the head, causing a serious injury.

Despite his injury and the fact that he was bleeding heavily, Benitz, another two officers and a bystander at the scene were able to subdue Leiva and place him under arrest.

Police say his action saved the woman's life, as Leiva had previously told his ex-girlfriend he intended to kill her.

Patrolman Benitez, who lost a substantial amount of blood, was immediately taken to Monmouth Medical Center, where he was kept overnight Sunday.

He was released Monday to claps from fellow Long Branch Police officers and first responders.

See people applauding as police officer Benitez left Monmouth Medical Center on Monday: facebook.com/share/r/1b7uB1xkTR/

Leiva has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, possession of an unlawful weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.