Public Employee Press


Crime stopping Elmhurst Aide blocks prisoner's escape
The takedown

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Service Aide Trevor Flinch foiled a murder attempt at the Elmhurst Hospital Emergency Room when a 260-pound prisoner bungled his escape and took a visitor hostage.

An NYPD Police Officer entered the ER with a burly prisoner so big he couldn't be handcuffed behind his back. With his feet and wrists in shackles, the prisoner asked to use the bathroom. The officer complied and removed the chains. That's when he shoved her to the ground and made a break.

The cop chased the prisoner into a dead end in the ER. Trapped, "he grabbed a visitor and wrapped the chain around his neck, choking him," Flinch said.

"He was trying kill someone. I could not let that happen, I wasn't thinking about my safety, I just tried to save the person being choked to death," the Local 420 member said.

Flinch and hospital employee Fabio Martich struggled violently to free the victim and pinned the prisoner, restraining him until help arrived.

Elmhurst Hospital treats patients in police custody and from nearby Riker's Island jail. Staff may encounter violent psychiatric patients. But this situation, Flinch said, was unusual.

Selfless courage

"Usually there are two Corrections Officers, but this time it was just one female about 125 pounds and he was just too big for her," Flinch said.

"Sure, I was nervous," Flinch said. "But I thought about the victim and not myself," Flinch said. "I have a good heart. I cannot see violence and not come to a person's aid. My conscience could not allow that. Not on my watch."

"A lot happens in the ER. It's a busy place. We work together and watch out for each another. You have to watch your back and your coworkers' back," said Flinch. "I'm not a hero, I just tried to help."

At a ceremony Nov. 16, the Elmhurst Hospital Police Commander recognized Flinch and Martich "for selfless courage beyond the call of duty."