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The attack occurred on Friday, March 14, 2025, when 52-year-old Jerry Watkins, who is currently homeless, allegedly choked and assaulted a uniformed City of Middletown Police Department officer during an encounter, the department announced on Monday, March 17.
Watkins, who has had 28 documented interactions with law enforcement since January 4, 2025, was remanded to Orange County Jail following the assault, the department said.
According to police, Watkins' history of arrests, violent outbursts, and mental health-related transports had repeatedly resulted in his release, allowing him to continue posing a threat to residents, business owners, and first responders.
In recent months, Watkins has been arrested or taken for mental health evaluations multiple times, including for spitting on a nurse practitioner at a hospital, assaulting another patient at a mental health treatment center, and multiple disturbances requiring police intervention, according to the department.
Each time, he was released back into the community, continuing a cycle that police say has exposed the city to unnecessary risks.
Middletown Police Chief John Ewanciw condemned the state's bail reform laws and failures in the mental health system, saying police should not be the only line of defense when individuals like Watkins experience a breakdown.
"Our officers are among the best trained in the local region to respond to mental health crises and assist individuals in need...the issues involving Mr. Watkins are not a police problem. Individuals like Jerry Watkins require treatment and care far beyond anything that our department can provide," Ewanciw said.
He added, "I apologize to my officers and the people of this city that we have been unfairly placed in this predicament because of the abject failures of our state leaders in addressing the limitations of bail reform and our mental health facilities."
As a result of the violent attack, Watkins has been charged with:
- Second-degree strangulation;
- Third-degree criminal possession of a weapon;
- Two counts of second-degree assault;
- Second-degree menacing;
- Resisting arrest;
- Fourth-degree criminal mischief.
The injured officer was transported to Garnet Health Medical Center with injuries to his head, face, neck, and hand. He has since been treated and released and is expected to make a full recovery.
Anyone who encounters Watkins should avoid him, the department said.
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