Suffolk County police officer promoted to detective months after near-fatal stabbing

LONG ISLAND -- After nearly being fatally stabbed earlier this year, a Suffolk County police officer is moving up in the ranks before he returns to work.

Surrounded by Suffolk officials and fellow officers, Christopher Racioppo was promoted to detective Tuesday. He expressed his gratitude for the move, which police officials say might've not come if it wasn't for the quick-thinking of first responders and witnesses who came to Racioppo's recue after the stabbing.

On April 10, Christopher Racioppo attempted to make a traffic stop in Patchogue after spotting a vehicle driving erratically, police say.

Following a crash and foot pursuit, police say Racioppo was stabbed in the leg by Jonathan Nunez.

Racioppo was rushed to a hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery due to a ruptured artery.

Over two weeks later, Racioppo was released from Stony Brook University Hospital in what was called a "miraculous" recovery.

Now just over three months after Racioppo headed home, he'll be going back to work with a new title — detective.

"This has been my goal my whole career — it came a little sooner than anticipated, but I'm OK with that," said Racioppo.

"He's a fine member of our department, he put his life on the line and he almost lost it," says Acting Suffolk Police Commissioner Stuart Cameron.

Cameron also lauded those who helped Racioppo before he was transported to the hospital, including former Marine Guillermo Sandoval, who found him and created a torniquet to go around his leg.

Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone also showed his appreciation and excitement in a tweet: