TROY, N.Y. - Police in Troy are asking for the publics help to track down three suspects in connection with a police officer being stabbed late Wednesday night.
Officer Michael Johnson, 31, was released from Samaritan Hospital around 3:30 A.M. Thursday morning after being stabbed in the leg.
The incident happened around 10:30 P.M. as Johnson was doing a routine police stop at the intersection of House and West Sunnyside Avenues.
Troy Police Captain John Cooney said Officer Johnson apparently came upon a group of people and approached them as part of an investigation near the Martin Luther King Apartment complex.
"At this point it appears it was a self-initiated investigation by the officer, seeing individuals in a certain area, for whatever reason. The officer proactively initiated contact with them and it obviously turned into a very dangerous situation," he said.
A foot pursuit then began after the approach. A short time later, Cooney said it appears at least one of the individuals being chased turned on the officer and stabbed him in the leg. Officer Johnson then apparently fired several shots in self-defense at the suspects, however none of them were struck by the officer's gunfire.
The knife or weapon apparently used on the officer has not been recovered.
Within minutes of the stabbing, Cooney said police set up a perimeter at the Troy bike path, near Glen Avenue. A state police helicopter was called in, using a high-energy spotlight and thermal imager to comb the woods surrounding the path. K-9 units were also called in to the scene.
Cooney said that Officer Johnson is "known to be a very aggressive and productive officer."
He added that the fact-gathering process into what exactly happened will begin once the officer finishes medical treatment and is able to speak with them.
Investigators are hoping for the publics help in this case that will lead to the arrest of the three suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call the Troy Police Department at (518) 270-4421.
Stay with news10.com for updates.
A state police helicopter hovers over the Troy bike path late Wednesday night (WTEN image)
Officer Johnson has six years of service with the Troy Police Department
Within minutes of the stabbing, Cooney said police set up a perimeter at the Troy bike path, near Glen Avenue. (WTEN image)
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