Two Malverne officers injured, released

The bucolic feel of the tiny Village of Malverne, with a population of about 8,500, was jarred last week when a suspect allegedly rammed two police vehicles, injuring two Malverne officers. Nassau County Police said the Malverne officers fired an unknown number of shots in response.

Both Malverne police officers were taken to local hospitals for treatment of injuries and released.

Nassau Police said that the assault happened on Sunday, May 28 at 2:25 p.m. in Lakeview and stemmed from an earlier incident that originated in the Village of Malverne.

Earlier in the day, Malverne Police attempted to pull over the driver of a black BMW M3 in the village. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and escaped, according to police. Later in the day, Malverne officers saw the same vehicle at the corner of Mahopac Road and Scaneateles Avenue in Lakeview.

When Malverne officers approached the car, the driver allegedly struck one Malverne vehicle, injuring the first officer. Nassau Police said the BMW then crashed into a second Malverne Police vehicle and “intentionally drove toward” the officer outside the vehicle, according to a Nassau Police statement.

Nassau Police said “multiple” shots were fired, although the BMW was able to flee the area. The vehicle was found later in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, although no arrests have been made yet.

Village of Malverne Mayor Tim Sullivan said the incident started when Malverne officers noticed the vehicle.

“The perpetrators are not residents of the village; they were just passing through,” Sullivan said. “Our officers identified the vehicle as being a potential risk. The men and women of our department did their job correctly and with diligence. That’s why having our own police department is important in this day and age.”

Sullivan added that despite the violent nature of the incident, neither officer was seriously hurt.

“Luckily, neither of the officers was seriously injured,” Sullivan said. “We are thankful for their responsiveness and their ability to always look after the residents of Malverne. And for being diligent in looking after the safety of the residents of our village.”

The village is a bit of a contradiction. Just 13 miles from Queens, Malverne is a tiny and quiet area tucked into south Nassau County. The grass lawns and single-family homes give it a small-town feel similar to Cooperstown, N.Y. Crime is relatively low, and it is rare for a Malverne officer to fire a weapon. Sullivan couldn’t remember the last time it had happened.

“This incident started inside the village, but the real story line is that it occurred not in the Village of Malverne,” he said. “Thankfully, while it’s a rare incident for a Malverne officer to discharge their weapon, nobody was fatally wounded nor critically injured.”

Nassau police said the investigation is continuing.

Sullivan reminded residents and visitors that if they happen to get pulled over, to remember that the officers are working for the betterment of the entire community.

“Keep in mind the next time you engage with an officer in this village that while their job may seem obvious to you, they always run the risk of putting themselves in harm’s way,” Sullivan said. “That’s what occurred here. Thankfully everybody will be fine.”