Union Leader
NASHUA, N.H. — A Nashua police officer is in critical condition in a Boston hospital after being injured yesterday while trying to stop a fleeing suspect.
Officer Peter LaRoche hurt his shoulder yesterday afternoon when he tried to stop Joseph Bissonnette, 32, of 7 Harbor Court, No. A, from scaling a fence in the area of 85 Pine St., according to Lt. George McCarthy.
LaRoche grabbed hold of Bissonnette as he tried to go over the fence but Bissonette broke free and LaRoche fell to the ground, according to McCarthy.
The six-year veteran of the police force was taken to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center where he was treated for soreness in his shoulder. However, police said LaRoche’s pain worsened and he was airlifted by helicopter to Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with a life-threatening blood clot caused by an arterial internal tear.
McCarthy said LaRoche remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The incident began about 4 p.m. on Pine Street when LaRoche spotted Bissonnette (pictured) driving a car that did not have a valid inspection sticker. LaRoche turned his cruiser around to pull him over. By then, Bissonnette had pulled into a driveway at 85 Pine St. and both he and his passenger were out of the vehicle.
Police said Bissonnette took off running as LaRoche began talking to the passenger.
LaRoche chased after Bissonnette and grabbed onto him as he scaled the fence, McCarthy said, but Bissonnette broke free and LaRoche fell.
Bissonnette was arrested moments later by other officers.
He is charged with resisting arrest and operating a motor vehicle while being a habitual offender, both class B felonies; resisting detention and simple assault on a police officer, both misdemeanors.
He was being held on $7,500 cash bail pending arraignment in Nashua District Court.
Copyright 2009 Union Leader