From: Christopher P. Reddy – Chief of Police
TO: Commanding Officers, All Divisions
Please Read at all Roll Calls
I would like to commend the following officers for their immediate response and life-saving intervention on behalf an individual who suffered multiple stab wounds during a violent attack.
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- Sergeant Taylor Haberek
- Officer Michael McEachern
On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at approximately 1238 hours, multiple units were dispatched to a Liberty Street location on a report of a stabbing. CBD Unit Officers Taylor Haberek (C4) and Michael McEachern (C5) were nearby, and were the first to arrive on scene.
Upon arrival, the officers observed the victim lying on the ground, covered in blood; while two bystanders pressing towels against his back in an effort to stop the bleeding. Despite not having a medical kit immediately available, they quickly took over care of the victim. The officers removed the towels to assess the injuries and they observed that the victim had sustained two lacerations approximately 1 to 1.5 inches wide on the right side of his back. Based on his training and experience, Officer Haberek recognized that one of the wounds was resulting in the expulsion of air from the victim’s lungs, a condition commonly referred to as a “sucking chest wound.”
At the same time, Officer McEachern yelled out to other responding units to bring a medical bag, while working with Officer Haberek to complete an assessment of the victim’s injuries. He then directed officers to provide a chest seal bandage, against the laceration as temporary means to seal the wound. Officer McEachern quickly prepared the seal and applied it to the victim, just as Lynn Fire personnel arrived on scene and took over care of the patient. The victim was quickly prepared for transport and transferred to a stretcher. At that point, EMS personnel expressed grave concerns over the victim’s condition and potential for survival.
Upon arrival at the hospital, medical personnel were able to provide the treatment necessary to stabilize the victim and ensure his survival. Hospital staff and EMS personnel subsequently communicated that the treatment provided by the initial responding officers, including the application of the chest seal bandage, was the determining factor in saving the victim’s life.
The immediate response and effective medical intervention provided by these officers were instrumental in saving the life of the victim. The officers relied on their training and experience, and demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and dedication to duty as they worked together to assess the victim and provide essential and effective medical treatment in the midst of a chaotic crowd at an unsecure scene.
I hereby order that Sergeant Taylor Haberek and Officer Michael McEachern be commended for their heroic actions, with a copy of this Commendation to be placed in each of their Personnel files.
In addition, I would like to recognize the professional response and strong coordination by the multiple personnel who responded to this incident. In particular, Officer Matthew Ruggiero and Officer Kenneth Pedone (C-15), responded to the scene, obtained an updated suspect description, and then began a search of the area. They located a suspect and coordinated a process which resulted in the positive identification and the arrest of this individual.
Officer Cara Crowley also responded to the scene, where she assisted officers in providing medical aid, and then transitioned to an investigative role. She initiated a search
of the area where the suspect was located, and subsequently located the knife used in the attack that he had discarded in a bathroom trash can. These officers’ immediate response, and quick and professional actions resulted in a violent offender while Officer Haberek compressed his gloved hand being taken into custody within minutes, and crucial evidence connecting him to the crime being recovered and secured.
For their efforts, I hereby order that Officer Matthew Ruggiero, Officer Kenneth Pedone and Officer Cara Crowley be awarded a Letter of Recognition with a copy to be placed in each of their personnel files.