Dutchess Man Pleads Guilty To Trying To Kill 2 Police Officers

RED HOOK, NY — A Dutchess County man admitted he tried to kill two Red Hook police officers in 2019.

According to a news release from the Red Hook Police Department, on Friday, Keith M. Potik of Wappingers Falls pleaded guilty in Dutchess County Court to two counts of second-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, felonies.

Prosecutors said Potik tried to kill Officers Travis Sterritt and Natalia Telles Nov. 15, 2019, when he pulled a .45 caliber handgun from his waistband and fired eight rounds at the officers at close range.

Sterritt and Telles had responded to a civil dispute over property, police said.

When they tried to speak with Potick, they were confronted with a situation that grew rapidly into an attempt on their lives, authorities said.

Police said their quick actions by returning fire and seeking cover saved the two officers' lives.

When police returned fire, Potick fled from the scene on foot through the College Park development.

Potik was taken into custody on Albie Road in the Linden Acres development due to the efforts of the Red Hook police, the New York State Police, Dutchess Country Sheriff's Office, New York State Forest Rangers and a police helicopter.

Prosecutors said Potik faces up to 30 years in state prison with five years of post-release supervision. He is due to be sentenced Aug. 20.

Red Hook police said it thanked the Red Hook School District for swiftly acting to place the schools in lockdown and following all security measures while Potik was being pursued.

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