Copiague Man Who Tried To Stab 2 Nassau Detectives Indicted: DA

COPIAGUE, NY — A Copiague man who tried to stab two Nassau County police detectives was indicted in court on Wednesday, officials said.

Eric Terranova, 40, was charged with two counts of attempted aggravated assault of a police officer; two counts of first-degree attempted assault; two counts of menacing a police officer; four counts of second-degree attempted assault; and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.

On March 19, 2022, at about 4:30 p.m., two Nassau County detectives responded to Terranova’s home, located on Buchanan Ave. in Copiague. The detectives were investigating accusations that Terranova had made threatening phone calls to employees of a Stop & Shop grocery store located in Nassau County, according to Tierney.

While speaking with the detectives on his front porch, Terranova began fidgeting with his hands, which were in his jacket pockets, Tierney said. The detectives asked whether he had any weapons.

Terranova then removed a switchblade from his pocket, handed it to them, and suddenly became irate, storming into his home and slamming the front door, prosecutors said.

Surveillance video then showed the detectives return to their unmarked vehicle. One of the
detectives entered the driver’s side. As the other detective was about to get in on the passenger side, Terranova came out the side door of his home and charged at the detectives, prosecutors said.

Terranova was holding a switchblade over his head and screaming he was “God,” prosecutors said. The detectives repeatedly ordered Terranova to drop the knife, but he ignored them and kept charging toward the detectives, Tierney said. The officers then fired their weapons, striking Terranova, officials said.

Terranova then ran directly at one of the detectives, with the knife still raised over his head, Tierney said. The detectives continued to fire their handguns until Terranova fell to the ground, officials said.

Both detectives helped Terranova and yelled for bystanders to call 911, Tierney said. Terranova was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was treated for his injuries, officials said.

"Thankfully, the defendant’s brazen attack on these police officers in broad daylight ended without the loss of life,” said Tierney. “It is a stark reminder of the dangers police officers face on a daily basis.”

Mazzei ordered Terranova held on $500,000 cash, $1 million bond or $5 million partially secured bond.

Terranova's attorney Ira Weissman, Esq. has not yet returned a request for comment.

Terranova's next court date is Jan. 9, before County Court Judge Steven A. Pilewski.