Lafayette officer recovering from stabbed cheek

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The brother of a Lafayette police officer says he is recovering well after being stabbed in the cheek by a fleeing driver who was then fatally shot by other officers.

Police say they don’t yet know what role 39-year-old Paul Spencer played in a minor fire at a duplex where he lived near downtown Lafayette that sent officers there Wednesday. Officers spotted Spencer’s car leaving the area and chased it until it crashed, which was followed by the violent confrontation.

Records show that Spencer was on probation for dealing cocaine and was released from prison in 2008 after 17 years.

West Lafayette Police Chief Jason Dombkowski tells the Journal and Courier that his wounded brother, Lafayette Officer Ron Dombkowski, is in good spirits. The stab wound required stitches.

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