Possible suspect in custody in stabbing of NY state trooper

The New York State Police and the Albany Police have a man in custody who matches the description of the teen wanted in the stabbing a state trooper on Sunday, according to a report.

Police named Eric L. Green, 18, who has ties to the Albany area, as the suspect in the attack and stabbing of Trooper Rodney L. Smith.

Sources told the Albany Times-Union that the man in custody is indeed Green.

Smith was in patrol in Empire State Plaza in Albany when he was approached by a man who said he was new in town, police said.

As the trooper was checking the man's ID, the man stabbed him in the neck on the left side with a steak knife, police said.

The two then struggled, and Smith suffered another stab wounds to the right side of his neck, his face, and many superficial cuts to his hands and arms while fighting off the attack, police said.

The attacker grabbed the trooper's police radio and ran away, police said.

Smith called for help using his cell phone.

"Our troopers can find themselves in dangerous and sometimes life threatening situations on any given day," State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico said in a statement. "Fortunately Trooper Smith is expected to make a full recovery, said. State Police are working with the Albany Police Department as well as other area law enforcement to identify the individual responsible for this senseless attack. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Smith's family."

Smith was expected to be released from Albany Medical Center Hospital Tuesday evening, police said.

The union that represents New York state troopers had offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the attacker.

If you have any information about this attack you should call 518-474-5330.