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Police Officer Stabbed To Death In New Castle County, Delaware

NEW CASTLE, Del. (CBS) - A New Castle County Police officer died in the line of duty after authorities say he was stabbed while responding to a disorderly person call.

Police say it was around midnight when Sgt. Joseph Szczerba, an 18-year veteran of the department, arrived in the Penn Acres community for the call. He was taking a suspect into custody when he was fatally wounded.

He was taken to Christiana Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"Overnight, I received a phone call that no one should ever have to receive," Paul G. Clark, New Castle County Executive said in a written statement. "It was with extreme shock, sadness and regret that I learned of the senseless killing of one of our county police officers in the line of duty."

Police say two other officers were injured during the incident and also taken to Christiana. They are believed to have suffered minor injuries.

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Authorities say the suspect is in custody and the killing remains under investigation.

"This tragic event is a grim reminder of the danger our police men and women—along with our paramedics and other first responders—put themselves in every day to protect their fellow citizens," Clark said.

Reported by Tim Jimenez, KYW Newsradio; Dray Clark, CBS-3

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