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June 21, 2008
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N.M. officer stabbed during fight
By Jeff Proctor
The Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico) ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque m a n remained in jail Thursday on felony charges after allegedly stabbing a police officer who had broken up a fight between the man and another male who was using a walker, court records show. Kenneth Tortolito, 44, was arrested shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday on suspicion of aggravated battery on a police officer following the alleged incident at Fourth and Copper NW, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. He was being held at the West Side jail in lieu of a $25,000 cash or surety bond. Doctors at Presbyterian Hospital needed one or two staples to close the wound to APD Officer Deeds, according to the complaint. Deeds, whose first name was not listed in the complaint, is expected to recover. The incident began when Deeds, who was on the thirdfloor roof of the Downtown Hyatt hotel, saw Tortolito "strike the male who was sitting on a walker," the complaint says. Deeds rushed down to the street, then saw Tortolito "hit the other male over the head with a trashbag full of aluminum cans." Tortolito struck the man on the walker in the face, then "reared back" to hit him again, the complaint reads. That's when Deeds jumped in. For the next few minutes, Tortolito and Deeds traded punches, kicks, knees and elbows, according to the complaint. During the struggle, Deeds noticed blood coming from his head. With the help of a Hyatt security guard, Deeds was able to subdue Tortolito, the complaint says. Deeds then called for backup. Officers who responded to the call found a knife with a black handle and 4-inch blade in Tortolito's jacket pocket, according to the complaint. After the alleged incident, Tortolito refused to speak with police without an attorney, the complaint says. Copyright 2008 The Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
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