MTA cop faces vision loss after getting slashed in the eye by Bronx ex-con

[Broadway Local 482]

 

 

A knife-wielding cop hater slashed an MTA officer in the eye and was shot dead outside a Long Island Rail Road station in Queens on Wednesday, officials said.

 

Officer John Barnett — who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Navy Reserves — was rushed into surgery at Jamaica Hospital with a “devastating” wound.

 

MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said it was too early to tell whether Barnett, 45, would lose any vision in his left eye.

 

“He said he was going to go into surgery as a fighter and was going to come out as a fighter,” said the brave cop’s sister, Belinda Barnett-Andrea.

 

“He loves serving his country. It’s ironic that today is the Fourth of July.”

 

The holiday horror -- caught on security video — unfolded at 9:30 a.m. as the 13-year veteran spoke to a taxi dispatcher outside the Sutphin Blvd. station in Jamaica.

 

 

 

Read more:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-stabbed-face-violent-confrontation-queens-long-island-railroad-station-article-1.1107703#ixzz1zh7IRKja

 

[Joe 781]

What a shame. That animal shouldn't have even been out on the street. Glad the MOS is still alive.

[trainfan22 1,754]

That cop sounds like a real warrior! Serving in the military, some thug stabs him and in return he turned him into Swiss cheese!

 

Alpha as a mofo.

 

I love this quote from the article...

 

"He said he was going to go into surgery as a fighter and was going to come out as a fighter"

[BM5 via Woodhaven 5,156]

"Haters in the place".……… NOT!!

[aemoreira81 965]

I really hope that his eyesight can be saved. For him to go through war and survive and then to lose an eye on the street...that's rough. At least the thug got what he deserved.

Edited July 6, 2012 by aemoreira81

[Shortline Bus 1,121]

No matter what happens Officer Barnett gets a promotion asap. I don't condone using guns but in this case, I would have done the same thing in self defense.

[Broadway Local 482]

MTA Police Officer John Barnett is going home.

Officer John Barnett, 45, an almost 13-year veteran of the MTA PD, was released from Jamaica this evening after undergoing surgery last night. Barnett suffered a devastating wound to his left eye during an altercation with an emotionally disturbed individual who he shot and killed.

Officer Barnett was on routine patrol on Sutphin Boulevard under the elevated LIRR Jamaica Station when the perpetrator, identified as Edgar Owens, 46, of the Bronx, walked out of the station at street level. He approached Officer Barnett, who was standing near a taxi booth, while holding the knife at his side.

The ensuing confrontation was captured on video and described by witnesses. Owens stabbed Officer Barnett with no warning. Officer Barnett stepped back, drew his weapon and warned Owens repeatedly to drop his knife. Owens continued approaching Officer Barnett with the knife in his hand.

Officer Barnett fired his weapon four times, striking Owens three times in his jaw, chest and hip. Owens was brought to Jamaica Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.

According to the NYPD, Owens has a history of confronting police officers without provocation. In 2006, he walked into the 26th Precinct stationhouse and punched an officer in the face. In 2007, he walked into the 103rd Precinct and said he wanted to get arrested, and would punch someone if necessary. He has a history of additional arrests as well.

Officer Barnett has never previously fired his weapon in the line of duty. He served a year with the NYPD before joining the MTA Police Department in 1999. He graduated from SUNY Maritime College and served his country in the Navy Reserves, doing tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He lives in Suffolk County and has a 12-year-old son.

http://mta.info/news/stories/?story=735