By Jeff Goldman, Eric Conklin
nj.com
GALLOWAY, N.J. — A 30-year-old man who ran out of a house and stabbed a police officer in the face with a pocket knife on Sunday night has been charged with attempted murder and other offenses, authorities said.
Officers showed up at a home on the 300 block of Cresson Avenue at about 8:30 p.m. after several hang-up calls to 911, Galloway police said.
As two officers spoke with a woman, her son, Keith E. Kiminski, “darted” out of the house and attacked one officer, officials said. The two police officers then fought with Kaminski for several minutes before backup arrived and he was taken into custody.
The officer stabbed on the right side of his face was released from an area hospital on Monday afternoon, Galloway Mayor Tony Coppola told NJ Advance Media. The officer — identified by police as Erik Tarnow — underwent surgery prior to his release, police said.
Members of the police department gave Tarnow an escort to his home, where he will rest and make an expected full recovery, the mayor said. ”Galloway has a great morale, and these guys watch out for each other on a daily basis,” Cappola said. “When one gets hurt, especially in the line of duty, they’re there for each other.”
The second officer was released Sunday night.
Kaminski is also charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest, officials said. He is being held in the Atlantic County jail. Attorney information wasn’t immediately available.
The mayor lauded both officers for subduing their attacker by using minimal force. Deadly force under the circumstances was warranted, he said, calling their decision to not use their guns “incredible restraint.”
”That’s a huge credit to their training,” Coppola said.
Chief Richard D. Barber also praised his officers.
“This incident is another reminder of the dangers that our police officers face on a daily basis,” Barber said. “We are grateful that Officer Tarnow is recovering well, and our department will be here to fully support Erik and his family.”
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