CARMEL – A Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy underwent emergency surgery Monday at Hudson Valley Hospital Center in Cortlandt after he was stabbed while investigating a domestic dispute at a private residence along Peekskill Hollow Road in Putnam Valley.
A 911 call to the county’s Dispatch Center in Carmel sent patrols to the Redmond residence at 52 Peekskill Hollow Road at 10 a.m.
Sheriff Robert Langley said deputy, whose name he did not make public, was slashed in the arm severing an artery. The sheriff noted the attack on the deputy came after the suspect identified as 25-year-old Timothy Redmond allegedly stabbed his step-father several times.
Langley said the deputy’s partner immediately placed a tourniquet on the injured officer but when the bleeding could not be controlled, they decided against waiting for an ambulance and rushed him to the hospital where physicians and emergency room staff were waiting. Surgeons were able to stem the flow of blood on the seven-year veteran of the department who was admitted to the hospital in satisfactory condition.
Langley reported Tuesday afternoon the deputy will be undergoing additional surgery this week to repair nerve and muscle damage.
The father, although suffering numerous stab wounds, refused medical attention advising EMS personnel he would contact his own physician.
Redmond was taken into custody without further incident and was charged with attempted murder, assault, aggravated assault against a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon.
He was arraigned Monday night in Putnam Valley Town Court before Justice Clem Van Ross and was remanded to the Putnam Correctional Facility without bail.
Sheriff Langley said the attack was the “first time a member of the sheriff’s department was either stabbed or shot in the line of duty in the department’s proud history dating back to 1812.”
Langley was grateful that the deputy’s injuries were not more serious: “Thank God he will be alright. The incident proves that a member of law enforcement never knows what is waiting on the other side of the door when he or she responds to a call for assistance. The world is a changing place.”
Putnam Valley Supervisor Sam Oliverio had similar sentiments. “Putnam Valley is a quiet place. In all my years of residing in this town, I can never remember an incident where a member of law enforcement was attacked and seriously injured. Our prayers go out to him and his family.”
Oliverio called the times that we are living in “troubled. There is hatred everywhere. Churches, synagogues, public places are being desecrated while people in New York City attacked for no apparent reason. This abhorrence must stop.”
State Senator Peter Harckham was also upset with the stabbing but relieved the deputy’s injuries were not more serious: “I am saddened to learn that a deputy has been stabbed in the line of duty. Thankfully, his assailant was captured and charged for his reprehensible actions. Let this be a reminder to us all that our law enforcement officers put their lives at risk the minute they begin to wear the badge, every single day, while serving and protecting us. Along with all of the residents of Putnam County and throughout the Hudson Valley, I offer my best wishes to the deputy for a quick recovery.”
The sheriff had special praise for members of his department, State Police, Carmel Police, Westchester County Police and Peekskill Police along with the staff at Hudson Valley Hospital for their assistance that helped to save the deputy’s life.
