The Abington Township Police Department commended Officer Adrian DeAngelo for his efforts in safely deterring a male armed with a knife from harming himself or his neighbor.

From their announcement:

While on patrol, Officer DeAngelo responded to a call of a male armed with a knife. Upon arrival, Officer DeAngelo could hear screaming from inside the building. He was provided information from a witness that the male armed with the knife was on the second-floor stairwell and there was a neighbor with him, who was possibly in danger. Officer DeAngelo called for the subject to come outside, but he was uncooperative and refused to exit.

Officer DeAngelo then entered the building and began climbing the stairs, looking for the endangered neighbor. He encountered the neighbor on the stairwell in close proximity to the armed subject. The neighbor, who relied on a cane for mobility, was clearly unable to self-evacuate to a safe location. Officer DeAngelo moved toward the neighbor to assist and observed the armed subject coming down the stairs toward them, holding the knife.

Despite the subject’s agitated behavior and apparent hallucinations, Officer DeAngelo remained calm, issued repeated verbal commands, and successfully persuaded him to drop the knife. Officer DeAngelo then restrained the subject until additional officers arrived. It was later determined that the subject was experiencing a mental health crisis and was transported to the hospital for treatment.

As a result of Officer DeAngelo’s swift, courageous, tactically sound, and carefully measured response, there were no injuries to bystanders, police, or the subject.

Officer DeAngelo was also commended in September 2023 for his assistance in the apprehension of two males involved in a shooting in Philadelphia.

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.

Photo: ATPD