Officer Adam Baker

Saratoga Springs Police Officer Adam Baker underwent emergency surgery Wednesday night at Albany Medical Center after having his neck slashed that afternoon. The 30-year-old patrolman was said to be in fair condition as of Thursday.

After city police received a call from Four Winds Hospital that an individual brought for treatment had fled the premises, a mental health pickup order was issued and officers began to conduct an area search in the vicinity of the hospital. At 2:52 p.m. Baker located the subject, Seth M. Dawson, at the corner of Jefferson St. and East Broadway, approximately a half mile from Four Winds. Officers John Kehoe and John Carey responded to the location to assist Baker.

Baker approached Dawson to take him into custody, and told the man to remove his hands from his pockets. At this point Dawson allegedly cut Baker’s throat with a razor blade.

Assistant Chief Chris Cole said the other two officers at the scene reacted immediately; Kehoe took Dawson into custody while Carey, a veteran officer with 22 years on the force, performed first aid on Baker’s throat. Baker was transported from the scene by an air flight ambulance to Albany.

“The fact that the situation was handled as well as it was is a testament to the officers,” Cole said.

The officer’s wound was estimated to be between four and five inches in length, and run from Baker’s jaw to his Adam’s apple. Cole said Baker, who graduated from the police academy in December, didn’t lose consciousness and was still able to talk after the injury. In fact, Baker didn’t initially even realize he’d been hurt until his fellow officers noticed he was bleeding.

Police Chief Ed Moore said he was very proud of the way the officers took control and stopped the situation from escalating further. He added that the incident illustrates exactly how dangerous the job of a police officer can be.

“This is a good example of how things can turn in a flash. We came within a quarter of an inch of losing an officer,” Moore said. “These officers did all the right things. I’m thankful Baker survived this.”

Kehoe and Carey are anticipated back at work on Monday. As of now there’s no timeline for Baker’s return.

Dawson, 19, of 767 County Route 64, Shushan, has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, a class B violent felony. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.

Wednesday night Dawson was arraigned in a special session of city court and remanded to Saratoga County jail without bail. The following day he returned to court with a public defender.

According to Cole, the case has been adjourned until Sept. 20. In the meantime, Dawson is to have a psychiatric evaluation to determine the state of his mental health and to see if he can participate in his own defense.

Cole believes Saratoga Springs is a safe city especially when compared with nearby Albany or Schenectady, but said there are still people here who can cause harm.

“This is something that doesn’t happen here a lot. I think this will open the eyes of a lot of people in Saratoga Springs. It can happen here,” Cole said.