Bodycam footage captured the frightening moment a New Jersey police officer was stabbed in the face by a madman on Sunday night.
Two Galloway Township Police Department officers were sent to a residence at about 8:30 p.m. after receiving several 911 hang-ups.
In footage released by the force on Monday, Officers Erik Tarnow and Hunter Thomas can be seen approaching the front door, knocking and being greeted by a woman.
The woman, who has not been identified, begins to explain that her son, Keith Kiminski, 30, was the reason for the incessant calls.
“He’s got a knife,” the woman tells Tarnow and Thomas before one officer asks, “where is he right now?”
Before the woman can respond Kiminski darts from behind her towards the officers with a folding pocket knife.
“Hold on, hold on, hold on, stop right there,” an officer can be heard pleading as the man lunges towards him with the knife.
Tarnow was stabbed on the right side of his face before wrangling Kiminski to the ground.
Tarnow and Thomas wrestled with the 30-year-old for several minutes before additional officers arrived at the scene.
Tarnow was taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries and suffered a deep cut to the side of his face. He is in a stable condition.
Thomas was treated for a minor head injury after the attack and released that same evening.
Kiminski has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest.
He is currently in custody, police said, pending a future court date.
“This incident is another reminder of the dangers that our police officers face on a daily basis”, said Chief Richard D. Barber.
“We are grateful that Officer Tarnow is recovering well, and our department will be here to fully support Erik and his family.”
