Alves

MIDDLETOWN – The man who stabbed two police officers and was later shot by a State Police officer and died Sunday had an extensive criminal past, police said Monday.

In light of the incident, Middletown Police Chief Matthew Byrne said Monday the crime fighting efforts will be redoubled.

 “This just renews our commitment to fight crime in Middletown, again with the State Police and their assistance. I give them a lot of credit for helping us over the years,” he said. Assaults are up, robberies are down but so far, there have been five murders in Middletown compared to one in all of last year.

State and Middletown City Police provided details of the incident early Saturday morning in which Middletown Det. Sgt. Gerald Mishk and State Police Sr. Inv. Kevin McGrath were stabbed by Tymmogene Alves of Middletown.

The officers were part of a city-state patrol in Middletown aimed at keeping a lid on the recent rash of violent crime in the city.

When Alves was spotted by the officers, he stabbed them then fled, but was caught about a quarter-mile away. State Police Sr. Inv. Brian Meier shot Alves once when he wouldn’t surrender. He took off, was cornered again at which time Alves stabbed himself repeatedly in the neck. He was taken into custody.

Alves, who was 37, had an extensive criminal record dating back to 1993, police said. It included a history of resisting arrest and robberies for which he spent time in state prison.

State Police Troop F Maj. Ed Raso and Byrne Monday had nothing but praise for the injured cops. Mishk is a “tireless worker, a cop’s cop, a natural born investigator,” he said. Byrne said after Mishk was stabbed, he continued to communication with his fellow officers advising them of Ayre’s whereabouts.

Mishk is a highly decorated 28-year veteran of the Middletown PD.

McGrath is a 25-year member of law enforcement and is in charge of the Troop F Major Crimes Unit.

Police said there would be a continuing criminal investigation into the case as well as a parallel administrative investigation, which is routine when deadly force is used.

The police brass said the joint investigatory teams will continue in Middletown.

Chief Byrne said the Middletown PD will us state Impact Tools funding for overtime and to pay for a crime analyst.