Long Branch officer saved a woman’s life — then was stabbed in the head during arrest

🚨A Long Branch cop was stabbed in the head during a domestic violence incident

🚨Police say Officer Geter Benitez's action saved the victim's life

🚨The suspect faces attempted murder and weapons charges as the officer recovers

LONG BRANCH — A Monmouth County police officer was stabbed in the head while trying to break up a domestic dispute early Saturday morning.

A woman was stabbed several times with a large knife by her ex-boyfriend, Faustino Leiva, around 4:40 a.m. at her apartment on Cleveland Avenue, according to city Business Administrator and Public Safety Director Charles Shirley Jr.

Leiva had told the woman earlier that he intended to kill her, according to Shirley.

Officer Geter Benitez heard the woman scream and tackled Leiva to get him off the woman. Shriley credits him with saving her life.

As Leiva was being placed under arrest, he struggled with Benitez and stabbed the officer in the head. He lost a “substantial amount of blood,” according to Shirley.

Two other officers and a passerby subdued the suspect.

Leiva was charged with two counts of attempted murder, possession of an unlawful weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Officer Benitez released from the hospital

Benitez was released from Monmouth Medical Center on Sunday.

"The actions of Patrolman Benitez reflect the highest standards of the Long Branch Police Department. He placed himself directly in harm’s way, without hesitation, to protect a resident of this city from a lethal attack," Shirley said.

Benitez joined the department as a dispatcher in 2022 and graduated from the Academy of Law and Public Safety in December. He is one of many family members to be part of law enforcement.

NJPBA President Peter Andreyev said the attack in Long Branch was the most serious incident in a weekend when officers also were assaulted in Fort Lee and Englewood.

"Our members are facing danger every day. This weekend's incidents just highlight the bravery of our members that most times goes unnoticed by most media. Please keep all the officers injured this weekend in your prayers," Andreyev said.

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