Dobbs Ferry Police Sergeant Stabbed In Unprovoked Attack

DOBBS FERRY, NY — A Dobbs Ferry police sergeant was stabbed in the head Thursday in what is being called an unprovoked attack.

The Village of Dobbs Ferry Police Department said it received a radio message from one of its sergeants around 1:30 p.m. Thursday saying he'd been assaulted by a man who was possibly wielding a knife.

The sergeant, whose name has not been released, was assisting Con Edison with a traffic detail on Beacon Hill Drive.

Authorities said he was able to provide a description of the man to responding officers.

Police officers searched the surrounding area, assisted by construction workers.

Matthew V. Burke, 36, of Dobbs Ferry, was found and taken into custody, police said.

He was charged with first-degree attempted murder of a police officer, second-degree attempted murder, attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, all felonies.

Burke was arraigned and sent to the Westchester County Jail pending his next court appearance.

Police said, at this time, the assault appears to be unprovoked and there is no current threat to public safety.

News 12 reported the sergeant was stabbed in the head. He was released from the hospital and is recovering at home.

The following law enforcement agencies were requested for mutual aid and responded: Westchester County Department of Public Safety, Westchester County District Attorney's Office, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Greenburgh Police Department, Irvington Police Department, Ardsley Police Department, Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department and members of the Greenburgh Drug Task Force.