By JEFF LIPTON
Doctors were waiting for severe swelling to subside before they could determine if Brian McNamara will have his full vision back, officials said.
“We just don’t know yet about his eye,” said Long Beach City Manager Charles Theofan, who called the attack “cowardly.” “There’s still some swelling and he has not been able to open it.”
Theofan said if the injury causes the firefighter to suffer permanent damage, he will demand that charges be upgraded against off-duty police officers Jason Ragoo, 26, and Douglas Rome, 25, who were arrested by Long Beach police on Wednesday, Sept. 17 and charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor.
The cops, who work in the 101st Precinct in Far Rockaway, have been suspended without pay and ordered to surrender their guns. An order of protection has also been issued against them to stay away from McNamara, a four-year member of the Long Beach Fire Department Career Force (Local 287).
According to Theofan, McNamara, 32, of Long Beach, was walking with his 22-year-old sister at Virginia Avenue and West Beech Street at about 4 a.m. when they encountered a group of four or five men, one of whom allegedly made a rude remark to his sister. McNamara objected to the comment, “and almost immediately thereafter three of the five men set upon him and beat him viciously with closed fists,” said Theofan. “They knock him down and kick him. He manages to break away and they chase him across the street and continue to beat him.
“It was not just a flurry of punches, it was a sustained beating,” added Theofan, who swore in McNamara as a firefighter four years ago. “He just objected to the comment. He was not looking for a fight.”
After the attack, McNamara’s sister went with a Long Beach police officer scouring the area for the attackers when she spotted them on New York Avenue and West Beech Street.
“They were walking nonchalantly,” said Theofan of the off-duty cops. “They were found with blood on their hands. It was very disturbing.”
Witnesses were able to positively identify two of the three attackers, Ragoo and Rome, Theofan said. An investigation is underway to determine if the third person, who may also be an off-duty police officer, was involved in the beating and should be charged.
McNamara was taken to the hospital and released a few hours later.
Theofan said McNamara did not press charges immediately and later changed his mind.
Long Beach police are not saying much about the incident, putting out a short press release, stating in part, “It is alleged that Mr. Ragoo and Mr. Rome had an argument with the victim and a fight ensued, resulting in a physical injury to the victim.”
Ragoo, of East Beech Street in Long Beach, and Rome, of Rose Avenue in Floral Park, pleaded not guilty to the charges during their arraignment in Long Beach City Court last Thursday and were released on their own recognizance. They are due back in court on Nov. 5. During the proceedings, the courtroom was filled with firefighters who showed their support for McNamara.
“I was pleased that almost the entire professional force was there,” said Theofan. “I was also pleased that although they were very angry [over the attack], they acted in a dignified manner [in court]. I assured them that we will be on top of this from the start to the finish. We will keep a careful eye on this case.
“From time to time, you will see men get into a fight with one another, but it’s so cowardly when three people beat up one. Psychologically, the effects will be terrible, just terrible [for McNamara],” said Theofan, who added that he may seek restitution from the courts for the beating. “It was just a nightmare of a beating. He was just punched and kicked over and over again.”
He said McNamara, whose family members are longtime city residents, has an “excellent record” and is well-respected by his fellow firefighters. He said he will be out of work indefinitely.
“He told me he was still hurting,” Theofan said last Friday, a week after the incident. “He was thanking me for all my support. We’re more than happy to do this for him.”
Theofan said the incident shocked him, because of who was involved. “There are many, many New York City police officers living in Long Beach,” he said. “I’m glad they do. It’s great for the community and makes the streets safer.
“And with a [NYC] police force of 29,000, you are going to have a good number of bad eggs,” Theofan added. “Unfortunately, Brian encountered two of those bad eggs. I would think their jobs are very much in jeopardy.”
Ragoo and Rome could not be reached for comment and the Long Beach Fire Department did not return calls for comment.
Comments about this story? Jlipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
