Man who attacked Middletown police officer has assaulted an officer before

MIDDLETOWN – The homeless man who is charged with brutally attacking a Middletown City police officer last week attacked and injured another Middletown officer 28 years ago.

That officer, Anthony Lucharelli, is retired now and recounted that in 1997 while trying to subdue Jerry Watkins, he sunk his teeth into the officer’s neck and nicked his carotid artery.

Lucharelli told Mid-Hudson News he is a menace to society.

“I am seriously concerned for not only police officers who have to deal with this man, but I am seriously concerned and I feel that the public is at great risk with this gentleman being on the loose,” he said.

The former officer said as far as he is concerned, the New York criminal justice system has failed in Watkins’ case.

Watkins should either be in prison or a mental health institution, Lucharelli said.

Since early January of this year, Watkins has had 28 documented interactions with police in and around Middletown.