Danbury cop’s quick response to stabbing earns praise
Veteran officer says ‘it’s all part of the job’
DANBURY — Detective Len LaBonia didn’t hesitate to act recently when he saw blood dripping from a man’s chest after a stabbing on Main Street.
Driving an unmarked police car, LaBonia was about halfway into his shift on Wednesday afternoon when he noticed a heated argument between two men.
“It looked as if one of the men touched the other man in the stomach,” LaBonia said Friday. “He lifted his shirt and I saw the blood. I immediately knew he had been stabbed.”
The suspect, later identified as Gabriel Silba, 21, fled north on Main Street, with LaBonia in his cruiser close behind.
“He was getting close to the police station when I was able to pull up behind him and jump out of the car,” LaBonia said. “He gave a brief chase but I was able to catch him and put him in handcuffs.”
It wasn’t the first time when LaBonia’s quick thinking made all the difference.
“I was doing security detail years ago near this bar on Mill Plain,” he said. “Some guy who was only about 10 feet away from me pulled out a gun and shot someone. I gave chase and caught the suspect and the victim survived.”
Chief Patrick Ridenhour praised LaBonia this week for his quick reaction to Wednesday’s incident.
“We are obviously very happy that he was so observant and took immediate action, not only to apprehend the suspect, but also to ensure quick and proper aid was administered to the victim,” Ridenhour said.
While some might call LaBonia a hero, the veteran police officer, who has been on the force for 23 years, said it’s all part of the job.
“It’s really all about teamwork,” he said. “I may have apprehended the suspect, but within moments there were several cruisers on scene and paramedics were assisting the victim. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that any other police officer in Danbury would have reacted the same way.”
LaBonia credits that quick reaction to the training he’s received through the department.
“It’s really all about teamwork. I may have apprehended the suspect, but within moments there were several cruisers on scene and paramedics were assisting the victim. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that any other police officer in Danbury would have reacted the same way.” Len LaBonia, Danbury detective
“There wasn’t a lot of time to think,” he said. “You have to make split second decisions while formulating a plan in your head and act upon it. It’s a natural instinct that’s developed through years of training. As cops we are concerned about public safety. This man had a knife. I had no idea if he was planning to hurt someone else.”
Silba was arrested on several charges including first- degree assault, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He is being held on a $ 250,000 bond.