Officers Jacek Leja and Justin Raether

These officers responded to a domestic-related call of a man with a gun threatening his girlfriend in the apartment.  Upon arrival, the officer's found a victim, Ms. Coleman, on the front porch in the fetal position sobbing and pleading with them to rescue her friend, Morgan, who she feared would be killed by the offender.  Ms. Coleman stated that she had gone out with the offender’s girlfriend and they had returned to the apartment at approximately 4:30 am.  Morgan's boyfriend, McCallum, was irate that they had returned so late and held both women hostage in the apartment at gun point while ranting and raving that he would kill them both and then kill himself.  McCallum began to choke and stab his girlfriend numerous times in the arm and neck area.  Ms. Coleman attempted to intervene and was pushed away, at which time she was able to escape from the apartment.  She repeatedly banged on doors in the apartment building until someone let her in to call the police, shortly after which a gunshot was heard.

Officers Leja and Raether banged on the victim’s door repeatedly ordering the offender to open the door and surrender.  The offender yelled back that he would kill Morgan and himself.  The officers then heard another gunshot come from inside the apartment and fearing that the victim had been shot, they forced the door open and were immediately confronted by the offender pointing a gun at them.  They retreated partially down the stairs and repeatedly yelled for the offender to drop the gun.  The offender then charged toward the door with the gun pointed at the officers.  The officers, fearing for their lives, were forced to discharge their weapons to stop his advance.  

The officers then called for an ambulance and searched for the offender's girlfriend.  She was found hiding behind the refrigerator with stab wounds to her arm and neck, as well as gunshot wounds to her neck and arm that shattered the bone. 

The victim was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital and admitted in critical condition.

Due to these officers’ selfless dedication to duty and raw courage in the face of danger, a victim was saved from almost certain death at the hands of her boyfriend.