*IN THE LINE OF DUTY* OFFICER DOWN

[Lady Cop]

PENN ACRES, Del. - September 16, 2011 (WPVI) -- Authorities have identified the veteran New Castle County police officer who was killed in the line of duty.

Sgt. Joseph Szczerba, an 18-year veteran of the force, was stabbed to death while responding to a call in the Penn Acres Community near Wilmington early Friday.

It all began just before midnight on Thursday when officers responded to a 9-1-1 call for a disorderly subject in the area of Finny Road. While en route, officers received information that the subject was involved with a theft from a vehicle. The 44-year-old victim saw the theft taking place and confronted the suspect and assaulted him after a brief chase. The victim received minor injuries in the scuffle.

After the confrontation the suspect then fled toward E. Roosevelt Avenue. Police were notified of the man's whereabouts and several patrol officers responded to the area and set up a perimeter.

Sgt. Szczerba responded to the area and spotted a man who matched the suspect's description. He stopped his cruiser at the intersection of Fithian Drive and E. Roosevelt Avenue and approached the subject.

The subject took off down E. Roosevelt Avenue and a foot pursuit ensued. Sgt. Szczerba managed to catch up to the man, a struggle took place, during which Sgt. Szczerba was stabbed and fatally wounded.

Other officers were arriving on scene and they too attempted to take the subject into custody. The suspect continued to resist arrest, but was eventually subdued and handcuffed. However, before the struggle ended, three additional officers sustained minor injuries.
Several officers performed CPR on Sgt. Szczerba before medics arrived. The officer was rushed to Christiana Hospital and pronounced dead soon after.

Later in the morning, it was a somber sight as police escorted the officer's body to the medical examiner's office in Wilmington.

Authorities closed off the streets as the procession came off I-95 at Maryland Avenue. Fellow law enforcement lined up and saluted a man who served the force for nearly two decades.




REST IN PEACE SGT. Szczerba




David Salasky
charged with first-degree murder and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony