Hero cops lauded for saving elderly assault victim

Police say suspect slashed woman in neck

January 25, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Capt. Joseph Hayward (center) says he could not be prouder of the actions taken by P.O. Sanad Musallan, Sgt. Nicholas Danna, P.O. Christian Aleman and P.O. Michael Pascale (left to right) during the dangerous situation involving an elderly woman and an erratic suspect. Eagle photo by Paula Katinas

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Police Officer Michael Pascale doesn’t consider himself a hero, but the 70-year-old Bay Ridge woman whose life he saved on Saturday night would probably disagree with him. Pascale applied special gauze to the victim’s neck after a suspect had slashed her with broken glass during a brutal attack in her Ovington Avenue apartment, police said.

Pascale was one of four cops honored for their heroics by Capt. Joseph Hayward, the commanding officer of the 68th Precinct, on Tuesday at the station house at 333 65th St.

Hayward praised Pascale, Police Officer Sanad Musallan, Sgt. Nicholas Danna and Police Officer Christian Aleman for their quick work in not only saving the victim, but in subduing and arresting the suspect, Luis Hernandez.

“I cannot be more proud,” Hayward said as he stood next to his cops.

The victim remains hospitalized, police said.

The violent incident took place inside the woman’s apartment on Ovington Avenue near Fourth Avenue at around 10:10 p.m. on Jan. 21, according to Hayward, who said Hernandez forced his way into the apartment. The Daily News reported that Hernandez had been knocking on several doors in the building and that the victim opened her door when he knocked.

Hernandez slashed the victim in the neck with broken glass, Hayward said.

A neighbor heard the victim’s screams and called 911.

The four officers arrived at the apartment, forced open the door and found the victim with a large gash on her neck. When asked by the Brooklyn Eagle if the woman was conscious during this time, Pascale replied, “Just barely.”

The suspect, who was still inside the apartment, resisted arrest, Hayward said. The officers had to use a Taser to subdue him. “It was a tense moment,” Pascale told reporters. Hernandez was taken into custody and charged with assault and burglary. Hayward said the police investigation is ongoing.

During the incident, Pascale applied QuikClot Combat Gauze to the woman’s neck. He had received special training at the Police Academy in how to apply the specially made gauze. “I referred back to my training,” he said.

QuikClot, made of soft, sterile, nonwoven gauze, is designed to cause a rapid coagulation around a wound and form a blood clot.

“I don’t consider myself a hero,” said Pascale, who said that military service members are his heroes.

The woman was transported to NYU Lutheran Medical Center for treatment. The gash on her neck required 30 stitches to close, police said. She was still in the hospital at press time.

Her condition has improved somewhat since Saturday, but she will likely need physical therapy, Pascale said.