Knife-wielding Taunton man sentenced to prison in Fall River Superior Court for attacking, injuring off-duty police chief, 4 other officers

A Taunton man was sentenced to prison in Fall River Superior Court in a jury-waived trial Wednesday after five officers sustained injuries as a result of an incident involving a knife-wielding suspect.

According to police, at approximately 6:45 p.m. on September 26, 2023, Taunton Police officers had pulled a vehicle over for a moving violation in the area of 716 County St. That motorist was cooperative with police. However, during the stop, a second motorist — not affiliated with the stopped motorist — pulled alongside and began to shout at the officers.

That individual, Douglas Hagerty, then sped away from the scene in a 2010 gray Honda Accord. Police did not pursue him.

A short time later, another Taunton Police officer on patrol in the area observed the Honda allegedly being operated in an unsafe and reckless manner. The officer made a traffic stop on Hagerty’s vehicle, but he fled from police, nearly striking an officer who was approaching his vehicle during the stop.

Under the control of a police supervisor monitoring the situation, the officer pursued Hagerty until he crashed the vehicle into an entryway of a multi-family dwelling on West Britannia Street, which was later determined to be Hagerty’s residence. He ran into the building and was pursued by officers.

As officers followed Hagerty inside, the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and began waving it at the officers, resulting in slashing wounds to two officers. Chief Walsh, who lives nearby, responded to the scene from his home. Hagerty also allegedly swung his knife at Chief Walsh, resulting in a puncture wound to the Chief’s torso.

Chief Walsh deployed his Taser on Hagerty, and he was secured and placed in custody by the Chief and officers at approximately 7:00 p.m., about 15 minutes after his initial encounter with police.

One officer sustained serious slash wounds, including injuries to the face and back of his head. He was taken by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital for treatment. A second officer was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment for knife wounds. Chief Walsh was treated and released at Morton Hospital. Two additional officers sustained injuries during the apprehension of the suspect and were treated at Morton Hospital.

According to court records, on Wednesday, Hagerty was convicted on Armed Assault with Intent to Murder, five counts of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Carrying a Dangerous Weapon, Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon-Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Leaving the Scene of Property Damage, and Failure to Stop for Police. He was found not guilty of Mayhem.

Hagerty was sentenced to not less than 30 years to not more than 40 years with credit for 862 days served.