Heroic Court Officer Injured But Foils Escape Attempt
April 8, 2008
A court officer in Malden District Court was pulled out of a courthouse window during an altercation with a suspect, but kept the suspect from escaping.
Paul Nowicki told NAGE that he was returning to the courtroom at lunchtime on Friday, April 4, to clear the room when he discovered suspect George McNelley of Everett trying to push his way through the window screen. Nowicki bolted across the room and grabbed the suspect by the waist with one arm and the shackles with the other. The two fell out the window, approximately six feet above the ground, and Nowicki sustained a serious gash to the head. He still managed to hang onto McNelley and called on his radio for help. Fellow Court Officer Mike Reardon reached the scene, followed by Middlesex County sheriff’s employees Don Waite and Brad Snow, to subdue McNelley. Passersby and fellow court officers called 9-1-1.
McNelley was taken into custody. Nowicki was taken to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, where he received 11 stitches to close the head wound. Nowicki said that he is grateful that he did not suffer more serious injuries and may be cleared to return to work as early as mid-April.