Officer Assaulted During Routine Traffic Stop, Police Say

A Howell police officer was hospitalized after a traffic stop on Adelphia Road Monday morning turned violent.

By the time the incident was over, the officer was injured and the West Long Branch resident he had pulled over for a cell phone violation was arrested on several charges. 

At 8:08 a.m. Monday, Patrolman Thomas Matthews reportedly pulled over Michael J. Dougherty, 35, in his 2009 Nissan Altima. According to Detective Sgt. Eileen Dodd, Dougherty "aggressively challenged" the officer after getting out of his car. Despite being ordered back to his car several times, the driver repeatedly disobeyed and approached the officer, police said.

Dodd said Matthews then used pepper spray on Dougherty, who continued to advance through the spray. Witnesses who had stopped during the encounter said the officer ordered Dougherty, who reportedly was waving his arms in the air and yelling, down to the ground. Once again the West Long Branch native did not follow as instructed. 

During the ensuing altercation Matthews reportedly hit Dougherty with his baton after he charged the officer, police said. After rolling into the grass near the road, the suspect hit the officer with his portable radio, which he had gotten control of, and continued to punch him. Dodd said Matthews was able to keep his gun holstered despite repeated attempts by Dougherty to remove it. 

Two of the witnesses also came to Matthews' aid with the help of other officers who reported to the scene, finally breaking the two men up. Matthews was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of a deep cut to his forehead as well as what was described as a pain and a lump in the back of his head. Dodd said he was treated and released from the hospital. 

After being processed at the police station, Dougherty complained of soreness and was taken to Centra State Medical Center for treatment before eventually being transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. 

He is being held on second-degree attempting to disarm a police officer, third-degree aggravated assault on law enforcement, third-degree resisting arrest with force, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, obstruction and disorderly conduct.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Anthony Romano at 732-938-4575 ext. 2879.