Mass. Police Officer Speared by Suspect After Pursuit

Feb. 3, 2013
Northbridge Officer Thomas Dejordy was treated for stab wounds from the spear and was released.

A police officer was speared by a Whitinsville man early Friday morning after the man, who had a warrant for a revoked vehicle registration and suspended license, took off after being stopped by police in Milford.

Adam M. Tillison, 27, of 11 High St., was arraigned in Uxbridge District Court Friday on multiple charges including failure to stop for police, speeding (70-plus mph in a 30 mph zone), reckless driving, failing to stop at a red light, driving with a suspended license, driving with a revoked registration, having an uninsured motor vehicle on a public way, default warrant, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (double-bladed spearhead), assault to murder, attempted murder and possession of a dangerous weapon.

He is being held at Worcester County Jail and House of Correction pending a dangerousness hearing Tuesday.

Northbridge Police Officer Thomas Dejordy was treated at UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus in Worcester for stab wounds from the spear and was released, according to court documents.

According to the police report, Milford Police notified Northbridge Police sometime before 4 a.m. Friday that they had attempted to stop Mr. Tillison, who was driving a 2003 Jaguar sedan, on Route 16 near Milford Regional Medical Centerm but Mr. Tillison drove off at high speed.

Mr. Tillison said in his witness statement to police that he had gone to Milford to pick up newspapers to deliver for his brother, who is in the hospital. He said he fled from the Milford officer because he was told to step out of the car without being asked for his license.

Northbridge Officer Brian Collins saw the Jaguar heading northwest on Linwood Avenue, near Northbridge Middle School, and he turned on his emergency lights to follow Mr. Tillison. Mr. Tillison allegedly accelerated to more than 70 mph in a 30 mph zone and sped through the flashing red light at Memorial Square, toward his home on High Street.

Officer Collins, who recognized Mr. Tillison, continued to 11 High St., where he saw Mr. Tillison trying to enter the rear door of the house. As Officer Collins checked around the house, Officer Dejordy arrived and forced his way inside the front door to follow Mr. Tillison.

The police report continues that Officer Dejordy struggled with Mr. Tillison, who was waiting at the top of the stairs with a 2.5-foot, double-bladed spear he had grabbed from a table on the second floor. Officer Dejordy, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, suffered puncture wounds to his chest and arm.

"Mr. Tillison indicated that he knew Officer Dejordy had a weapon and therefore he wanted to arm himself with a weapon," Officer Collins wrote in the report.

Officer Dejordy and Officer Collins subdued Mr. Tillison and brought him to the police station for booking shortly after 4 a.m.

Copyright 2013 Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Inc.All Rights Reserved

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