Man Stabs 2 Officers On Long Island, Then Shot Dead In Struggle: Cops

MEDFORD, NY — A man was shot dead in a struggle with Suffolk police after he stabbed two officers in Medford on Wednesday night, Suffolk police said.

Police responded to an altercation involving two men on Birchwood Road around 5 p.m. and one of the men stabbed two officers, seriously injuring both, police said. As the struggle ensued, "one or more officers discharged their weapon fatally striking the man," police said.

At least one, and possibly both officers, discharged their weapons, Chief of Detectives John Rowan told Newsday.

The 911 call about the fight was placed by a caseworker who was checking on two apartment residents, and one had been violent toward the other, Rowan told Newsday.

One officer was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, while the second officer was taken by ambulance, police said. A third officer was also taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told Newsday the officers responded to a 911 call that a man was menacing people with a fire extinguisher, and when officers arrived, he pulled out a "Rambo-style" knife and stabbed one officer in the side of his stomach.

The second officer was stabbed in the upper chest, near his neck, the outlet reported.

Police Benevolent Association President Noel DiGerolamo told Patch that "multiple officers" were injured and under the care of the police department's surgeon at Stony Brook University Medical Center. At least two officers suffered significant knife wounds, but were considered stable, though still under observation; at least one will imminently undergo surgery, he said.

DiGerolamo could not comment further due to the active investigation, citing department protocol.

Homicide Squad detectives are investigating, which is a standard procedure for officer-involved shootings.

Suffolk's Public Information Bureau did not immediately release any further information.

The neighborhood surrounding the area where the shooting took place was flooded with emergency response vehicles, according to a post on Citizen.

In a statement to media, Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon said the thoughts of his department's members are with the officers who were injured.

"This a reminder that the brave men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line every day," he said, adding that the sheriff’s office "stands" with that of the police department "and their families during this time.”