Garden State Times

Senator Vince Polistina (R-02) has made a statement in response to the recent knife attack involving two Galloway Township police officers. Polistina expressed his appreciation for the bravery and quick thinking of Officers Erik Tarnow and Hunter Thomas during the violent encounter.

In his statement, Senator Polistina commended the officers for their courage in the face of danger, stating, “Each and every day our police officers put their lives on the line when responding to potentially deadly situations with minimum details." He highlighted the rapid escalation of the situation, mentioning that "All it took was just twenty-six seconds for a recent Galloway Township police officer’s interaction with a suspect to take a violent turn."

Polistina acknowledged the injuries sustained by the officers, noting that "Officers Erik Tarnow and Hunter Thomas had seconds to react as a suspect came towards them with a knife." He expressed relief that both officers are now at home recovering and wished them a speedy recovery, saying, "Luckily, as of today both officers are home resting and I wish them the speediest of recoveries."

The Senator also praised the collective efforts of law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical crews involved in the incident, stating, "Their decisive actions led to the arrest of an individual who showed no regard for the lives of these two officers." He extended his gratitude to all those who work tirelessly to ensure public safety, saying, "To all of our law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical crews; thank you for what you do each and every day to keep us safe and secure."

According to Breaking AC, the incident occurred on Sunday, April 7, 2024, when two Galloway Township police officers responded to a 911 hang-up call. Keith Kiminsky, 30, emerged from a residence wielding a knife, resulting in injuries to Officer Erik Tarnow and Officer Hunter Thomas. Tarnow sustained a significant cut to his face requiring surgery, while Thomas suffered a head injury.