A Halifax Regional Police officer is recovering in hospital after being stabbed by a suspect while responding to a stolen vehicle call.
Two 15-year-old youths are in custody and the officer is said to be in stable condition after surgery.
HRP later identified the wounded officer as Const. Andrew Gordon, who has been with the force for eight years.
“This incident is a reminder of the inherent dangers of policing and more importantly, it reflects the commitment and dedication our officers bring to their work every day,” said Insp. Andrew Matthews, the duty officer on call at the time of the incident.
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Police say the incident began when an officer located a stolen truck on Highway 102 at School Avenue at 5:49 a.m. on Tuesday.
A second officer approached two people who were seen fleeing from the vehicle and caught up with them on a trail near the Ashburn Golf Club on Joseph Howe Drive.
“As the officer attempted to speak with the suspects, one of them stabbed him and then both suspects fled the area,” a news release from HRP says.
Meanwhile, HRP and the K-9 team located a female youth believed to be one of the suspects. She was taken into custody at around 6 a.m.
Matthews says 18 minutes later, a male youth who was believed to be the second suspect was found nearby and taken into custody.
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Four knives were recovered as part of the investigation, and the vehicle that sparked the incident was seized.
Matthews says that the incident ended with “as successful of an outcome as we possibly could” in terms of public safety.
“We have to keep in mind that there were people that were dangerous. If they were willing to stab an officer, you know, they may be willing to do something to someone else that happened to intervene,” Matthews said.
Officers remained on scene Tuesday afternoon near the Ashburn Golf Club as the Integrated General Investigation Section looks into the incident.
Charges are anticipated.
Const. Gordon known as the ‘Animal Whisperer’
Const. Gordon is well known in Halifax.
In 2016, he was lauded on social media by HRP for a string of animal rescues, including a seal pup, some ducklings and a dog. It earned him the nickname ‘Animal Whisperer.’
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage spoke about the injured officer on Tuesday afternoon.
“The people on the line who are protecting us citizens take on dangers. We occasionally forget that,” Savage said.
Matthews says Tuesday’s incident is a rare occurrence and that the last time an HRP officer was stabbed was in 2013.