Rockland Thanks NYC Cops Who Caught Machete Attack Suspect

NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County Legislature and the County Sheriff's Office honored New York City Police officers Russell Mattera and David Radziwon for their work Dec. 28 in apprehending the man alleged to have carried out a machete attack on Hanukkah celebrants in Monsey.

In a ceremony hosted by Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder in the Allison-Parris County Office Building, the two were also thanked for restoring a sense of safety to a community shocked by the horrific attack.

"Officers Mattera and Radziwon, that cold Saturday night, through your diligent police work, you gave back the sense of safety to the Jewish community in Rockland County," Wieder said. "Your training and experience all came together in the swift capture of this suspect.

"Saying thank you for doing your job hardly seems enough - how can it be enough when a police officer’s job is to put his precious and only life in danger for the well-being of others. We are forever grateful to you both."

Wieder, joined by other local leaders including Rockland County legislators Toney L. Earl, Doug Jobson, Phil Soskin and Itamar Yeger, presented each officer with a Distinguished Service Award, the Legislature’s highest honor.

Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco was represented by Undersheriffs Mary Barbera and Robert Van Cura, who presented officers Mattera and Radziwon with the Sheriff’s Star Award, the department’s highest award.

"Those of us that were there that night – it was a huge law enforcement effort – and when the news came in that NYPD had apprehended the suspect, it certainly gave us a sigh of relief," Barbera said. "We want to thank both of these officers for their police work."

The Orthodox Jewish Sabbath observance had ended, and a celebration of Hanukkah was underway at Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg’s home in Ramapo Dec. 28 when a man entered and started swinging a machete. Five people were injured, including Josef Neumann, who remains in a coma with a grim prognosis.

"I extend in the strongest terms possible, my appreciation — as chief of police where this horrific attack occurred — for your apprehension," said Ramapo Police Chief Brad Weidel, who presented the officers with Recognition Bars, which are worn on police uniforms, in recognition of their outstanding police work.

"As a former NYPD Detective Commander, I understand what had to have been going through these officers’ minds when they approached the suspects’ vehicle to apprehend him," Rockland County Executive Ed Day said. "On behalf of all of the residents of Rockland, I thank these officers for their bravery and quick action in tracking down this dangerous individual who came from outside our county with evil intent.”

Among those attending today’s ceremony was Josef Gluck, who fought with Thomas that night, then ran outside to get his license plate. The plate number was provided to law enforcement agencies across the region, including officers Mattera and Radziwon, who spotted the vehicle in Manhattan, pulled it over and took the driver, Grafton Thomas, into custody.

"Thanks to the brave actions of these two New York City Police Officers, Mr. Thomas was apprehended and brought into custody and we restored a sense of security and safety for our families," Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said. "It all came together because so many worked together - the New York City Police Department, the Rockland County Sheriff's Office, the Rockland County District Attorney's Investigators, the Ramapo Police Department, the New York State Police, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office - all to bring a sense of safety back to greater Rockland and all of its communities."

The attack on people enjoying a celebration in a private home sent shockwaves around the world, with the impact particularly hard-hitting in Monsey and the rest of Rockland County, which is home to a large Jewish population. Federal prosecutors say the suspect was motivated by hatred toward Jews. The machete attack was the latest in a string of hate incidents against Jews in the New York City area, including the terrible Jersey City attack that left a police officer and three civilians at a kosher grocery store dead.

"The town of Ramapo owes a great debt of gratitude to Officers Mattera and Radziwon for their heroism in safely apprehending a suspect in the horrific Hanukkah machete attack," said Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht.

SEE ALSO:

• More Federal Charges For Man Accused In Hanukkah Machete Attack
• Monsey Rabbi Recalls Attack, Gives Blessing At Cuomo's Address
• Cuomo Brings License Plate Readers To Rockland Jewish Community