Crime & Safety

Cop Assaulted in Arrest of Hopatcong Man, Police Say

Officer sustains puncture wound to his palm during arrest for alleged dispute.

A 34-year-old borough resident injured a cop while he resisted arrest during a dispute at his home Monday night, Hopatcong Police said.

Kevin Graham was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, according to a report released by Lt. Thomas Kmetz.

Police responded to Graham's Geneva Trail home after getting a call about an argument shortly before 6 p.m., Kmetz said.

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When officers arrived and went to speak with Graham, he cursed at the officers and refused to talk to them, Kmetz said.

Police went to arrest Graham for the original call, and he pulled away as officers tried to handcuff him, Kmetz said. 

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Officers then brought Graham to the ground, and in the process he injured Officer William Sutphen, Kmetz said.

Sutphen sustained a puncture wound to his palm from the incident, Kmetz said.

Kmetz said Grahman was then put against a closet door while cops cleared the area of the other people. 

Graham was taken to headquarters, where he was processed, charged and later released, Kmetz said.


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