LI Cop Stabbed During Traffic Stop Promoted

PATCHOGUE, NY — Suffolk County Police Officer Christopher Racioppo, who was stabbed while trying to take in a man later charged with drunken driving in Patchogue, was honored with a new badge — that of a detective — on Monday at a special ceremony in Hauppauge.

County Executive Steve Bellone described him as “nothing short of a hero.”

“Four months ago, Officer Racioppo was within seconds of losing his life, but today Officer Racioppo has made a miraculous recovery and will return to the department as ‘Detective Racioppo,’” he added.

Racioppo was stabbed in the leg by Jonathan Nunez who was trying to escape after driving drunk and then causing a car crash, Bellone’s office said.

The officer was “bleeding profusely and teetering dangerously close to losing consciousness,” but he was “given a fighting chance due to the efforts of two good Samaritans — Guillermo Sandoval, a United States Marine, and retired New York Police Department Officer Frank Recupero, Bellone’s office said.

Officers from the 5th Precinct, including Sgt. Frank Samartino, Sgt. Nick Blaschuk, as well as officers Taylor Herbst, Christopher Morris, and Jarrett Hanwright, were also involved in aiding him.

MORE FROM PATCH:

• WATCH: Officer Injured In Stabbing Released From Hospital
• Team Effort Helped Life Of Officer Injured In Patchogue Stabbing
• Injured Suffolk PO To Throw Out First Pitch In Battle Of Badges

Racioppo was promoted to detective in anticipation of his return to duty, according to Bellone’s office.

In addition to Racioppo’s new shield, Bellone also announced the promotion of the first Hispanic chief — Milagros Soto, who has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Internal Affairs.

The promotions also include:

• Dep. Chief Christopher Hatton to Chief of Operations — a three-star chief title.
• Dep. Chief Gerard Hardy to Asst. Chief of Patrol — a two-star chief title.
• Dep. Inspector Alexander Crawford to Inspector.
• Chief Robert Waring, recently named Chief of Operations, will become Chief of Patrol, following the retirement of Chief Robert Brown.