By JEFF LIPTON
While the physical scars — mainly to his left eye — have healed, the emotional pain will probably linger for a while, he said.
“I was shocked that they were cops,” said McNamara, in an exclusive interview with the Herald last week. “They were supposed to uphold the law.”
The police officers, Jason Ragoo, 26, of Long Beach, and Douglas Rome, 25, of Floral Park, have pleaded not guilty to third-degree assault in the Sept. 13 incident, which took place on Virginia Avenue and West Beech Street. The officers were suspended without pay and their guns stripped from them, officials said. Authorities are still searching for a possible third participant in the brutal beating.
As the prosecution and defense prepared for the next pre-trial conference at Long Beach City Court on Wednesday, Nov. 26, McNamara could not say how he hoped the case would turn out, only
“I just want the case to work itself out,” said McNamara, 32, a lifelong resident of Long Beach. “I have faith in the system.”
The incident took place at about 4 a.m. as the off-duty firefighter was walking home with his 22-year-old sister when they encountered a group of four or five men, one of whom apparently hurled a rude comment at her, according to City Manager Charles Theofan. McNamara objected to the comment and almost immediately was attacked by the trio, who repeatedly punched and kicked him, officials said. McNamara said as he was being pummeled all he could think about was if his sister was safe.
“My sister was yelling,” McNamara said. “They didn't stop [assaulting me] and nobody was helping me.” McNamara was taken to a hospital and released a few hours later.
Following the attack, the two off-duty officers, who work out of the 101st Precinct in Far Rockaway, were discovered by Long Beach police at New York Avenue and West Beech Street, where they were questioned about the incident. Ragoo and Rome were arrested on Sept. 17, four days after the attack, because McNamara did not immediately press charges. The cops' attorney, Anthony Grandinette, did not return several calls for comment. He has reportedly blamed McNamara for instigating the incident, which the firefighter strongly disputed.
“It's just not true,” McNamara said about the defense’s insistence that he started the fight. “They could make up that fantasy if they want to. They were covered in my blood. The lawyer is just doing his job [in blaming me].
“If they weren't cops, this probably would not be that big of a deal,” McNamara said.
During the attack, McNamara suffered severe facial injuries, and there was concern that he may have permanent damage to his vision.
“I'm doing much better,” he said. “The eye is fine and I've been medically cleared to go back to work. It feels great to be back.”
McNamara said he returned about two weeks ago to his job as a four-year member of the Long Beach Fire Department Career Force (Local 287).
“I'm feeling much better,” he said. “I just want things to go back to normal.”
McNamara said he worries that some are trying to paint him as anti-cop. He said he considers himself a “pro-cop guy” and realizes there are bad apples in each profession. He said his friends and relatives have been police officers.
“The whole thing is unfortunate,” he said. “If it comes out that I'm anti-cop, that's just not the case. I would rather this whole thing not happen at all.”
He said he's trying to forget about the incident, but it's hard because he is constantly seeing his name in the news.
He said he has been grateful for the support he's received, especially from fellow firefighters and city officials such as Theofan.
Theofan said he was thankful that McNamara did not suffer any permanent injuries, but added that the firefighter has missed a considerable amount of time at work.
Theofan said the beating was so vicious that he continued to hope the charge against the suspects would be upgraded from a misdemeanor to a felony.
“The sad part of this whole thing is that he is such a lovely young man,” Theofan said of McNamara.
Comments about this story? Jlipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
