115th Precinct

Jackson Heights
Rookie Cops Save Colleague
A 21-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder of an on-duty New York City police officer — who was on uniform foot patrol in Jackson Heights — by ambushing him and brutally beating him with a baseball bat before robbing him of his gun and handcuffs.
Danny Fernandez, 21, of 78-18 162nd Street in Flushing, is charged with first-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault upon a police officer, first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree robbery, second and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
According to the charges, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on February 5, Fernandez approached uniformed Police Officer Joseph Cho, 30, at the intersection of 39th Avenue and 102nd Street in Jackson Heights and struck him once from behind with a baseball bat, knocking him to the ground. Seeing that Cho was still moving, it is alleged that the defendant struck the officer once more in the head before removing his gun and handcuffs and fleeing on foot.
Police Officer Patrick Lynch, 22, who is assigned to the NYPD’s Field Training Unit, was on foot patrol and, having observed Fernandez stealing Cho’s weapon and handcuffs, chased the fleeing defendant and apprehended him, along with Officer Christine Schmidt. Fernandez was allegedly still in possession of Cho’s items and the bat was recovered at the scene of the assault.
Cho, who is also assigned to the NYPD’s Field Training Unit, was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he is being treated for a fractured skull and concussion and listed in serious condition. Lynch and Schmidt have each been given $500 rewards.