Providence Detective Stabbed in Cranston, Coventry Man Charged

A 48-year-old Coventry man being sought by Providence police for a stabbing in their city is facing felony assault charges from Cranston police for his alleged stabbing of a Providence detective in a unit at the Riverbend Apartment Complex on Dyer Avenue.

Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist said that Richard Morrissey, of 11 David St., Coventry, was arrested by Cranston police Wednesday morning after officers responded to a report of an active fight at the apartment complex at around 11:30 a.m.

Later, Cranston police learned that Providence police were attempting to take Morrissey into custody as a suspect in a stabbing in their city Tuesday night and upon arrival, while detectives were speaking with Morrissey, “he retrieved a large kitchen knife from under a cushion of a couch where he was seated,” Winquist said.

Morrissey then ignored verbal orders to drop the knife, a 10-inch kitchen knife, prompting an ensuing physical confrontation that led to one of the Providence detectives getting cut on the hand, Winquist said.

The detective was treated at the scene by the Cranston Fire Department.

Morrissey was hurt in the struggle and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he remains and is receiving continued treatment, Winquist said.

Upon his hospital release, Morrissey will be facing two charges of felony assault for the stabbing in Cranston and will be held overnight for arraignment in Third Division District Court Thursday morning.

“Incidents such as the one that occurred today, represents the dangers police officers face every day performing their duties,” Winquist said in a statement. “I commend the Providence Police Detectives who used their instincts and training to quickly disarm a convicted felon believed to be responsible for a violent attack the previous evening.”