Community Corner

WATCH: Officer Injured In Stabbing Released From Hospital

Officer Christopher Racioppo went home to fanfare on Monday after recovering from the stabbing that occurred earlier this month.

On April 10, Racioppo was stabbed by 25-year-old Jonathan Nunez, who ran away after crashing his car on South Ocean Avenue. He began fighting with Racioppo, who was attempting to arrest him, and stabbed the officer in the leg.
On April 10, Racioppo was stabbed by 25-year-old Jonathan Nunez, who ran away after crashing his car on South Ocean Avenue. He began fighting with Racioppo, who was attempting to arrest him, and stabbed the officer in the leg. (Photo courtesy of Cheryl H. of Port Jefferson Station )

STONY BROOK, NY — Suffolk police officer Christopher Racioppo was released from the hospital on Monday after he was stabbed in the leg while trying to arrest a drunk driver in Patchogue earlier this month.

On April 10, Racioppo was stabbed by 25-year-old Jonathan Nunez, who ran away after crashing his car on South Ocean Avenue. He began fighting with Racioppo, who was attempting to arrest him, and stabbed the officer in the leg.

He was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue and then transferred to Stony Brook University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured artery and was listed in critical condition, police said.

Find out what's happening in Patchoguefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Photo courtesy of Cheryl H. of Port Jefferson Station

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After a little over two weeks in the hospital, Racioppo was finally discharged on Monday. He was escorted out in a wheelchair to a crowd of hundreds who were outside to cheer him on.

Find out what's happening in Patchoguefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

According to News12, doctors said that his condition was initially critical, with Racioppo having been intubated for multiple days, until he began to improve and is now expected to make a full recovery.

The quick-thinking actions of the good Samaritans who rushed to the scene to help the officer after the stabbing are credited with saving his life.

Photo courtesy of Cheryl H. of Port Jefferson Station

Watch a video from Racioppo's release below:

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