POUGHKEEPSIE – A City of Poughkeepsie Police officer was rushed to MidHudson Regional Hospital Saturday night after he was stabbed in the neck with a screwdriver.
Police and workers from the Mobile Crisis Team were called to an apartment at 25 Smith Street at 7:45 p.m. where they encountered Jalil Smith, 32, who came after two officers with the weapon.
The officers tased Smith who engaged in a violent struggle with the cops. During that incident, one officer was stabbed, suffering from a wound to his neck and cuts to his face and head. The 14-year veteran of the force was treated and later released at MidHudson Regional Hospital.
Police Chief Tom Pape was with the officer at the hospital.
“This shows the inherent danger officers face every day when encountering people that are having emotional or other mental issues. This incident could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the quick actions of the officers,” said Mayor Rob Rolison.
City of Poughkeepsie detectives were at the scene interviewing potential witnesses Saturday night.
Other area police agencies assisted at the scene.
