Enrique A. Negron, 55, grocery store proprietor, attempted to rescue Philip A. Siegel, 44, police patrolman, from a gang attack, Bronx, New York, May 22, 1965. When Siegel apprehended a youth suspected of robbery and attempted to put handcuffs on him, a crowd gathered and urged him to release the suspect. One of the group struck Siegel, and the suspect escaped. Siegel overtook him, followed by the growing crowd. Eight youths then stepped forward, informing Siegel that they were going to take the suspect from him. The leader of the gang struck Siegel’s hand with a bottle. The suspect again escaped, but once more Siegel overtook him. The crowd followed, with the eight youths in the lead, to near Negron’s store. Negron emerged and saw the situation. He saw one of the gang snatch Siegel’s nightstick and noted that another youth appeared to be preparing to grab the gun from Siegel’s holster. Shouting for the youths to leave Siegel alone, Negron picked up a wooden milk crate and hurled it as hard as he could. The crate struck the youth who appeared to be about to snatch Siegel’s pistol. Negron then ran to among the youths, who began to beat Siegel with their fists. Negron knocked one youth to the pavement and jumped astride him. A youth jumped on Negron’s back and began striking him with his fists. Another struck Negron hard on the back. During the struggle, the suspect escaped. The gang ceased fighting and disappeared among the crowd, which then numbered nearly 200. Siegel had sustained only bruises. Negron discovered that he had been stabbed in the back below the right shoulder blade, suffering a wound three inches deep. Negron was hospitalized and recovered.
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