NJ cop recovering after being shot in leg while serving search warrant

A Perth Amboy police officer was injured during a shootout Wednesday while executing a search warrant with assistance from Rahway Police, according to Rahway Mayor Raymond Giacobbe and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

During the operation, suspects attempted to flee, resulting in one suspect firing a gun and hitting the unidentified officer in the leg. The injury is non-life-threatening, and the officer was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for medical treatment.

No other officers reported injuries.

“One suspect sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. All suspects are in custody,” Giacobbe said. “As this situation is still under investigation, we will refrain from making any further comments at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured officer. I extend my heartfelt wishes for a swift recovery and offer support to his family during this challenging time.”

The New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association expressed relief over the officer’s condition in a tweet: “We are counting our blessings this morning that our Perth Amboy Detective is going to recover. He was shot three times. His fellow officers took quick actions to prevent tragedy. Thank you to the doctors and nurses at RWJUH for their excellent care.”

Craig J. Coughlin, Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, also praised the first responders in a tweet, saying, “We owe such a debt to those who put it on the line every day to keep us safe.”

Attorney General Matthew Platkin said all of New Jersey is praying for the officer’s recovery.

“Our officers deserve our gratitude for the enormous risks they take on a daily basis to keep our communities safe,” Platkin stated. “As the state’s chief law enforcement officer, I am resolute in my commitment to work with our law enforcement and community partners to end gun violence in our state, and to do everything in our power to prevent this kind of violence against law enforcement in the future. We must continue to work together to prevent and disrupt gun violence of every kind in New Jersey.