By Macollvie Jean-François
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
TAMARAC, Fla. — Authorities are looking for a man who stabbed a deputy, sending her to the hospital early Sunday, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said.
Sgt. Lisa Disavino, 29, has since been released from Broward General Medical Center after the 1:47 a.m. attack at Commercial Boulevard and Nob Hill Road, according to the agency.
Disavino, a 7-year veteran, was driving her patrol car westbound on Commercial Boulevard when she saw a man acting “suspicious” near a bus stop on the north side of the street, just before the intersection of Nob Hill Road, Sheriff’s spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion said in a news release. She stopped and approached the man. He stabbed her, then fled.
Disavino radioed for help, saying she’d been stabbed, Concepcion said. While paramedics took her to the hospital, her colleagues and officers from neighboring law enforcement agencies engaged in an intense manhunt for the attacker that involved a helicopter, SWAT units and police dogs combing the neighborhood, Concepcion said. They had not found him as of 7 a.m.
The assailant is described as a white man in his late 20’s or early 30s, with short brown hair and no facial hair. During the attack, he wore a green Miami Dolphins jersey with the number 99 on it and white shorts.
“If someone sees a man fitting this description they should contact 911 immediately and not try to approach him,” Concepcion said. “The suspect is considered dangerous.”
Disavino has been Road Patrol sergeant in Tamarac for 1-and 1/2 years, Concepcion said.
The latest attack comes barely two weeks since the agency buried Dep. Paul Rein, 76, who was shot and killed Nov. 7 while transporting prisoner Michael Mazza, 40, to court.
“Unbelievable,” said Sue Benedico, a resident of the Plum Bay community near the bus stop. “It’s terrible. The way I grew up, if you’re in trouble, you go to an officer. Some people, in this generation, don’t think that way. I hope they get him.”
Details about why the unidentified man seemed suspicious, what weapon he used to stab Disavino and other information were not yet available.
Copyright 2007 The South Florida Sun-Sentinel