D.A. charges suspect with attempted murder of officer

The district attorney has charged a 38-year-old man with attempted first-degree murder in the Dec. 1 stabbing of a Patterson police officer.
On Jan. 6, the 16th Judicial District Attorney charged Timothy Ryan Duval, 38, of Camille Drive in Patterson, with attempted first-degree murder in the stabbing of Patterson Police Cpl. Kevin Stewart. Duval was also charged with disarming a peace officer, battery of a police officer, resisting an officer and theft of goods under $500 in the bill of information.
Assistant District Attorney Anthony Saleme filed the bill. Duval is set to be arraigned Friday.
Duval was arrested Dec. 1 on the charge of attempted second-degree murder after stabbing Stewart in the face with a steak knife, Police Chief Patrick LaSalle said.
Duval attacked Stewart at about 5 p.m. Dec. 1 while Stewart was trying to arrest him for shoplifting. The attack occurred in a densely wooded area near Hickory Street where Stewart had chased Duval to.
Duval stabbed Stewart once in the face and took his tear gas gun, shooting Stewart with the gas gun, LaSalle said. Stewart was able to recover the tear gas gun from Duval, shoot Duval with the gas gun and make the arrest.
Duval sustained a broken jaw during the struggle, the chief said.
Stewart relied on his training and was able to avoid using deadly force against Duval, LaSalle said.
Stewart was treated at Teche Regional Medical Center for his injuries, released from the hospital and went back to work the same night.