Officer Injured on Mental Health Call

 

February 20, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

On Monday, 2/19/24, at approximately 7:43pm Marshfield Police received a call to perform a well being check on Gina Martell (7/9/81) of 875 Ocean Street Apartment #5 in Marshfield.

 

Ms. Martell has an extensive history, including multiple violent encounters with the Marshfield Police. She is also known to conceal weapons within her clothes and body.

 

Officers responded to the call along with our on duty mental health clinician as Marshfield Fire Department staged nearby in case required.

 

Officers knocked on her door and Martell screamed at them to get a warrant. She then screamed and exhibited delusional and paranoid behavior. The clinician determined at this time that Martell was a danger to herself and based on the calls received tonight requesting a well being check and her behavior towards responding officers the clinician filed paperwork at the scene to take Martell to the hospital for treatment. A family member of Martell’s (who was one of the parties requesting the well- being check) gave officers the keys to enter the apartment. Officers opened the door announcing their presence and informing Martell they needed to speak with her. Martell was advised that she would need to go with the officers to speak with a mental health professional at the hospital. Martell ignored the officers and became argumentative and aggressive. As officers attempted to de-escalate the situation Martell picked up an 8 inch- long ceramic statue and began towards officers in a threatening manner. At this time one of the officers on scene took his taser out and ordered her to drop the weapon. Martel rushed towards the officer who deployed his taser on her. The taser had minimal affect and Martell smashed the statue over the officer’s head breaking it over his head causing a deep laceration and severe bleeding to the officer’s head. Officers on scene then wrestled the weapon from her and three officers, including two injured during the fray, (Martell elbowed and kicked officers on scene) were able to subdue and handcuff the 5’9’ 300- pound Martell.

 

Officers then requested Marshfield Fire to the scene and were able to restrain Martell on a gurney in the ambulance where an officer was required to ride in back with her.

 

Two Marshfield Police Officers were injured during this call requiring they be transported by ambulance to a local hospital, yet they still ensured that the suspect was safely transported to the hospital to receive treatment. The suspect suffered no physical injuries during the encounter. Both Marshfield Officers will fortunately make a full recovery. This easily could have been a catastrophic ending resulting in much more severe injuries or even death to the officers involved. They acted with extreme professionalism and restraint during the entire encounter.

 

 

Authority Lt. Shaw