Toronto police officer in stable condition after being stabbed in neck

TORONTO – A Toronto police officer is recovering from a near-fatal neck wound, thanks in part to the quick actions of an off-duty firefighter who ran to his aid, the city’s police chief said Monday.

“Although he received a very, very dangerous wound, he will recover from his injuries,” Chief Bill Blair said in a YouTube video.

“It will be a slow period of recovery, it was a potentially life-threatening injury that he received, but we’re very confident that he’ll recover.”

Const. Jeff Blair, who is in his 30s and married with children, was stabbed in the neck after stopping a vehicle late Sunday in the city’s north end.

Police have said shots were fired before the officer was wounded. A 38-year-old civilian was also taken to Sunnybrook Hospital, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound and listed in critical condition.

Off-duty firefighter Mike Salb was at home when he heard the shots ring out and ran outside to help.

“I could see the officer holding the left side of his neck,” Salb said. “He asked me to grab his radio and his gun, I told him we’d already called 911.”

Salb said he made sure the gun was secure, asked his wife to grab some paper towels since he lacked a first aid kit, and tended to the injured officer.

“Another officer arrived and both of us were applying pressure to his wound,” Salb said.

“Several other officers started arriving and we just stabilized him until EMS arrived.”

Blair credited Salb for jumping in to help.

“I just want to say thank you to the citizen who responded, the emergency medical services personnel, the outstanding trauma team at Sunnybrook and all of the members of the public who’ve expressed their support and concern for our officer,” he said.

Mike McCormack, president of the Toronto Police Association, said he had no further details on the incident, beyond the fact that there was an altercation after the officer stopped the vehicle.

“He’s going to survive the wound but we’re going to have to see what the damage is,” McCormack said.

Mayor Rob Ford issued a statement extending his thoughts and prayers to Blair and his family.

“During these times it is important to remember the sacrifice Toronto’s police officers provide to ensure our well-being,” Ford said.

The investigation has now been turned over to the Special Investigations Unit, which is summoned when police contact with the public results in death, serious injury or sexual assault.