WHAT A TEAM! — Parole officers pose for a picture, after rescuing a woman and her son from a knife-wielding parolee. They are (L-R) Jim Carroll, Jay Moss, Luis Mendoza, Dawn Marquart, Lyndon Fox and Jeff Green.
Parole Officers rescue woman, son in violent attack
By DEBORAH A. MILES
On a bitter November Friday, parole officer Jim Carroll was thrown into the limelight after wounding a 39-year-old parolee, Gerrard Blacknell, and saving the lives of Blacknell’s estranged wife, Kimberly (Jones) Blacknell, and her 7-year-old son.
“I thank you for your heroic actions in responding to a hostage situation,” said PEF President Roger Benson. “Despite personal danger to yourself, you acted to save the life of a woman and her young child, and suffered injury as a result of your efforts. PEF commends you for those brave actions.”
Carroll, a PEF Division 236 member, hurt his head during a scuffle with Blacknell, who lunged at him with a knife.
According to Carroll, he and five other parole officers — Lynn Fox, Jeff Green, Jay Moss, Dawn Marquart and Luis Mendoza — went to the Syracuse apartment along with two police officers because Blacknell was a fugitive who violated his parole.
He had a violent criminal record, history of resisting arrest and violating his parole.
When the officers arrived, they saw Kimberly Blacknell in a frantic state, dangling from a windowsill of her third-floor apartment. Her estranged husband pulled her back inside.
“They were yelling and screaming when we entered the apartment,” Carroll said. “We formed a semicircle around them, as Blacknell was holding her by the throat and pointing a knife to her head.
“She broke away when Fox sprayed Mace at Blacknell,” Carroll said.
In the chaotic moments following, Blacknell refused to surrender the knife and became increasingly agitated. That’s when he lunged at Carroll, who shot him twice in the hip area.
“He had to be disarmed,” Carroll said. “Blacknell was out-of-control, and I feared he would injure or even kill his wife, the boy or me.”
Blacknell’s injuries were not life-threatening. Police charged him with three felonies — first-degree burglary, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree criminal contempt, plus second-degree menacing, a misdemeanor.
Carroll credits the professionalism of his co-workers for resolving this incident without harm to Kimberly Blacknell and her son.
Syracuse police Chief Gary Miguel agreed. In a November 19 Post-Standard news story, Miguel said, “All the officers involved acted extremely professionally, courageously and probably saved the life of this woman. They did an outstanding job.”
“It could have been a tragic ending,” Carroll said. “We were all grateful that the officers involved were able to go home. We were also glad the mother and son got to spend a safe Thanksgiving together.”
The
Communicator February 2006
Features
DOT
wasting inspection funds
In their words: Workplace Violence
State to replace Camp Pharsalia
PEF
at Parole Assembly hearing
Parole Officers
in daring rescue
Feds tax
& funding budget cuts
Member calls election regs redo
Departments
President's
Message
You Said It -
Member's Mailbag
Member Mobilization
Retirees In Action
Member Highlights
PEF
Membership Benefits &Travel
Union Matters
STRONGER CONTRACT:
-
Promotion Test Battery policy
--New
PEF
online training center
- Better
PSTP Voucher Programs
NY DOT crews help Florida
drivers
Retiree repays
debt of kindness
RN Campaign gathering
steam
Macy’s parade
bop leads to fame
PEF
Election triennial rules
PEF member
Shayne is murdered
DOT members
win in fight-back
Mass. RNs honor Rosen
August Executive Board report
Other Links
Professional
Directory
Members'
Classified
Member
Communicator Feedback
Do You Prefer The
Online Edition?
How To
Advertise Here
The
Communicator Staff
Questions on
this site?
Email the Webmaster