NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea on Friday tweeted out a photo of the razor blade tucked inside a veteran officer’s sandwich, calling it an “abhorrent act” that investigators are taking very seriously.
“To repeat: The NYPD has ZERO tolerance for acts of violence against our police officers,” Shea wrote, alongside a photo of the blade and partially eaten steak hero. “A sandwich bought at a Queens deli on Thurs. contained a razor blade that cut the inside of a @NYPDCT cop’s mouth. He’ll be OK, but a full investigation into this abhorrent act is underway.”
The 24-year veteran, who is assigned to the critical response command in the counter-terrorism bureau, was in plainclothes when he purchased the meal from Bon Appetit deli in Belle Harbor around 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Sources said he was at an NYPD facility within the confines of the 100th Precinct when he munched on the sandwich and the razor blade sliced him in the mouth.
The officer, 56, was taken to Nassau University Medical Center for treatment for a small cut.
Cops were on hand at the deli Friday morning and reviewed surveillance video from inside the eatery. DNA evidence was also obtained from the blade.
A high-ranking police source said the blade was fully encased in the sandwich meat.
“Thank god he didn’t swallow that blade,” the source said. “He could have sustained serious life-threatening injuries if he did.”
The deli released a lengthy statement on Friday, apologizing for “this unfortunate incident.”
“In our experience, the NYPD officers of the 100th and 101st precincts have been an exemplary example of professionalism and service to not only our business but to our local community in the Rockaways, Queens and New York City at large,” the statement said. “If given the opportunity, the management of Bon Appetit would like to personally apologize to the officer and the rest of the local law enforcement community.”
Management said it’s fully cooperating with the NYPD’s investigation and “will share any surveillance camera footage that is available with them.”
“We use a variety of tools to prepare our food, but none should ever be found in any food item meant for customer consumption,” the statement continued.
It also said, “we will be conducting our own internal investigation and review of our employees and food preparation processes.”
Additional reporting by Tina Moore
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