By Rich Bockmann
An MTA police officer who was stabbed in the eye while patrolling the Jamaica Long Island Rail Road Station on the Fourth of July made it through surgery, although doctors have not yet determined what effect the attack will have on his vision, the MTA said.
Officer John Barnett, 45, was standing near a taxi booth on Sutphin Boulevard under the elevated LIRR station around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday when 46-year old Edgar Owens walked out of the station holding a knife at his side, according to authorities.
Owens approached Barnett with no warning and stabbed him in the eye, and then the officer fired his gun four times, hitting his attacker three times in his jaw, chest and hip, officials said.
Both men were rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where Owens was pronounced dead, and Barnett underwent surgery.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo called Barnett at the hospital and later released a statement praising the officer for his valor.
“Today we are reminded once again of the bravery and sacrifice of our men and women in law enforcement, and the many dangers that accompany the important job of keeping our state’s residents safe,” Cuomo said. “We applaud Officer Barnett’s bravery and pray for a full recovery.”
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
