Police: Officer Injured After Detainee Kicks Out Patrol Car Window In His Face

A Fair Lawn police officer was hospitalized with an eye injury Monday night after a man detained in the back of a patrol car kicked out the rear driver's side window and sprayed glass in his face, police said.

Patrol officer Gerard Graziano was taken to Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and treated for a corneal abrasion, but was released and cleared to return to full duty Tuesday, Sgt. Brian Metzler said.

The incident occurred around 9:20 p.m., when four officers responded to a domestic dispute on Sunnyside Drive involving Stephen Wyssenski, who was last known to reside in Fair Lawn, Metzler said.

Wyssenski, 44, resisted arrest by kicking officers as they attempted to place him in the back of a patrol car, Metzler said. Once confined in the patrol car, Wyssenski proceeded to kick through the rear driver side window as Graziano was attempting to climb into the driver's seat of the patrol car, sending shards of glass flying into his face, Metzler said.

Wyssenski was charged with two counts of aggravated assault to a police officer, resisting arrest and criminal mischief. Metzler said an additional count of aggravated assault to a police officer is pending against Wyssenski because he allegedly assaulted three officers.

After being medically cleared at Bergen Regional Medical Center, Wyssenski was transported to Bergen County Jail in lieu of $35,000 bail.

--

Follow Fair Lawn-Saddle Brook Patch on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to receive our daily newsletter in your inbox each morning