Suffolk County Police Officer Released From Hospital After Stabbing Attack

STONY BROOK, NY - A Suffolk County Police officer was released from Stony Brook Hospital on Friday, surrounded by hundreds of supporters after he was stabbed in the neck in the line of duty last year.

Hundreds of Suffolk County Police officers and other first responders gathered outside of Stony Brook University Hospital at noon on Friday anticipating the release of Police Officer Raymond Stock, 26.

Officer Stock was pushed in a wheelchair by his fellow officer Brendon Gallagher, 28, who was also injured in the same stabbing attack. Gallagher was released from the hospital last week.

"The knife went through his vest, through his notebook, through his shirt, through his skin, through his muscle, and right into the rib right over his heart…" said Dr. James Vosswinkel during the press conference held outside the hospital doors.

On December 28, 2022, both officers responded to an apartment complex on Birchwood Road in Medford after the suspect who later stabbed them, Enrique Lopez, 57, was acting violently towards his roommate.

When officers arrived, Lopez pulled a large knife and stabbed both officers. Officials say that at least one of the officers was able to discharge their weapon, striking and killing Lopez. Lopez was previously arrested in 2011 for assaulting a police officer.

In addition to the two officers, a third police officer was injured and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. That officer was also released from the hospital.

Officer Stock remained in a critical condition on a ventilator for days after the attack.