By Greg Erbstoesser, Press & Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, N.Y.)
Johnson City, N.Y. -- Training and quick action by two village police officers averted a potentially deadly confrontation when a despondent man threatened officers with a loaded shotgun, Johnson City Police Chief Stephen Korutz said Wednesday.
Korutz commended Patrolmen David Hozempa and Michael Agati for their quick thinking and restraint in subduing Dane Dixon, 50, following an hourlong standoff Tuesday night at Dixon’s Deyo Hill Road home.
“Because of their actions, these two officers are still alive and so is Mr. Dixon,” Korutz said.
Dixon was charged with second-degree menacing, a misdemeanor. He was held Wednesday for observation and evaluation in the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program at Binghamton General Hospital.
Police responded to Dixon’s home around 8 p.m. after a friend called police from the home, stating Dixon was depressed and threatening suicide, Korutz said.
“He told officers he was going to kill himself or they were going to kill him, either way he wasn’t coming out, they would have to come in and get him,” Korutz said.
Korutz said Dixon was depressed over issues at his job. Dixon works in the circulation department at the Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Police had attempted to talk to Dixon, who was inside his home. He was armed with a loaded 20-gauge shotgun and a small arsenal of weapons, including shotguns, rifles, knives and ammunition.
Hozempa said he and Agati left the house to wait outside as Johnson City police, detectives, negotiators and the department’s Special Response Team, as well as Broome County sheriff’s deputies, began to assemble at the scene.
Korutz said police had their guns drawn when Dixon unexpectedly stepped outside.
Hozempa said Dixon first aimed his loaded shotgun at Agati, who had positioned himself near a garage behind the house.
Hozempa, who was standing behind Dixon, said he was unable to fire his weapon because Agati was in the line of fire.
Instead, Hozempa rushed Dixon, prompting the armed man to turn and take aim at Hozempa. Hozempa grabbed the shotgun barrel and turned it away.
No one was harmed and no shots were fired.
“My training took over,” Hozempa said in describing the confrontation. He said everything happened in an instant.
Agati has been a Johnson City police officer for 12 years, while Hozempa is a six-year veteran with the department.