Off-duty officer knifed in road-rage attack

BRIDGETON, N.J. - April 7, 2008 Just before 2:00 this morning, off-duty Bridgeton police sergeant Jahaira Roman was travelling west on Columbia Road, near Cohansey, in rural Hopewell Township.

A red SUV sideswiped her car, knocking the vehicle into a ditch. The 33-year-old Roman got out and police say the SUV driver made a u-turn and then stopped.

According to the police, words were exchanged between the two and Roman was attacked as she tried to call 911.

"She actually fought off her attacker. She said she was punched several times, and, as it turns out, she was also stabbed and slashed in different locations," Det. Sgt. Charles Vincente of the New Jersey State Police said.

The officer made her way to a nearby home, occupied by Anna Hunt, for help and then realized she had been stabbed and slashed several times.

"There was a lady bleeding profusely and asked for help…she identified herself and I called 911," Anna Hunt said.

Sgt. Roman was airlifted to Cooper Hospital and underwent surgery.

She is a single mother and 9 year veteran of the Bridgeton police department. She is the first woman and first Latina to be named sergeant in the department.

"She's very knowledgeable at her job and able to work with many different people with diverse backgrounds," Sgt. John Sloboda of the Bridgeton Police said.

Bridgeton police are offering $1,000 reward. Sgt. Roman is in stable condition at Cooper Hospital.

She was able to describe her attacker as being 5'10", thin build, a man in his 30s, and light-skinned. Roman said he was totally dressed in black including a black baseball cap.

Anyone with information is asked to call the New Jersey State Police at 856-451-0101.