Nearly 200 officers and colleagues of Rochester Police Officer Denny Wright were in court on Tuesday for the arraignent of the man who is accused of attacking and seriously injuring him.
Keith Williams, 28, was arrested Monday and charged with attempted aggravated murder and aggravated assault. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday.
Officer Wright was stabbed while responding to a call on Peck Street.
Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary confirmed Officer Wright responded to a home around 12:30 p.m. Friday for a reported domestic incident alone. Once inside, he encountered Williams, who was hiding under a bed. As family members and the officer attempted to coerce Williams, he attempted to run out of the home. When the officer intervened, Williams punched the officer then began to stab him multiple times.
During the incident, Officer Wright withdrew his gun and fired once, missing Williams, who continued to stab him. Two bystanders, who heard the commotion from outside, ran into the home to assist the officer in subduing Williams. Ultimately, responding officers arrived and tased Williams before taking him into custody.
“I watched the body camera video and what I witnessed was a vicious and brutal attack on Officer Wright,” said Singletary. “We could easily be standing here talking about another set of circumstances had it not been for the resiliency of Officer Wright, the good Samaritans that intervened and the quick actions of the responding officers.”
As a result of the attack, Singletary implemented a directive requiring two officers in patrol cars until further notice.
Singletary said Officer Wright is a 20-year veteran of the force who has worked in the Clinton section his entire career and has trained many of the department’s officers.
“The outpouring of support is a true testament of Denny’s character—a loving and caring officer who did and will always put the safety of others before his own,” family members said in a statement.
Officer Wright remains at the hospital surrounded by his immediate family and his extended law enforcement community.