Categorized | 1 News Release

Dixon Rodriguez Incident

Middlesex Prosecutor’s Office Releases Video

Click here to see the video.

Press Release 6/10/15

PERTH AMBOY, NJ— The City of Perth Amboy has been informed that the Middlesex Prosecutor’s Office has released the surveillance camera video regarding the Dixon Rodriguez fatal incident on December 4, 2013. The City of Perth Amboy was not in possession of and was not responsible for the release of video or any footage captured that was directly collected by the Middlesex Prosecutor’s Office for the investigation.

In a statement released June 3, 2015 to Clinton-based lawyer Walter Luers, James E. O’Neill of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said:

“Now that the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General has completed its review of the investigation into a police-related shooting in Perth Amboy on December 4, 2013, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office will release to you a disc copy of a video recording of the incident and a disc copy of the initial 911 phone call to police. These discs are being sent to you today via regular mail.”

Statement released today [June 10, 2015] from Mayor Wilda Diaz:

“As Mayor, my position in the last 19 months has been to respect the privacy of the Rodriguez family. This was a tragedy for all involved, the families, the officers, and the community. As such, I ask that you also continue to respect and offer your prayers, as the families continue in their recovery process. I want to assure our community that our Police Department has taken all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents,” said Mayor Wilda Diaz.

Statement released today [June 10, 2015] from Deputy Chief Lawrence Cattano:

“It is a tragic situation anytime a life is lost.  In this situation, officers were called to the residence by the mother of Mr. Rodriguez. On the 9-1-1 call she stated she needed Officers to respond as her son was violent. As the video shows, the Officers, consistent with their training, used the force necessary to respond to the violent and unprovoked attack by Mr. Rodriguez.  Their response not only saved their lives, but also protected our citizens, including the school children that were on the street that day from the three neighborhood schools. A complete and thorough investigation of this case by the Middlesex Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office concluded that the officers ’actions were warranted and legally justified,” said Deputy Chief Lawrence Cattano.

The statement below was provided in the letter from The Middlesex Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey on the conclusion of the investigation on 4/24/14:

““This is to inform you that the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office has concluded its investigation concerning the use of the deadly force on December 4, 2013, by two members of the Perth Amboy Police Department. Pursuant to the applicable Attorney General Law Enforcement Directives, we have provided the relevant documents and media to the Division of Criminal Justice for final review by the Office of the Attorney General. Along with the providing the materials, I have also stated our recommendation and conclusion regarding the investigation, which is, in sum and substance as follows:”

“Upon the review of the entire investigation conducted by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the undisputed facts indicate that the use of deadly force by the two Perth Amboy Police Department patrol officers was justified under the law, and therefore, a grand jury investigation and/or review is not required.””

For additional information about the City of Perth Amboy, please visit:  www.ci.perthamboy.nj.us.

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