Retired cop stabbed in Long Branch

On April 9th, 2016 at approximately 2342 hours SGT Robert Bell was flagged down by the security staff at the Arena Bar on the corner of Brighton and 2nd Avenue for the report of a stabbing. SGT Robert Bell responded to the location and located 2 stabbing victims, and called for first aid and more officers. The victims were identified as Joseph Walker, age 47, from West Long Branch and Rial Valtz Jr, age 40 from Long Branch. Walker is a former Long Branch Police Officer who has not been employed by the agency since 2009. Initial reports indicate Walker and Valtz were patrons of the bar when an altercation took place, and helped security escort the combatants outside. The Long Branch Police Department does not provide security nor do any of the officers work as security for any establishment in the City.

The altercation continued outside and grew to involve the security staff. During the melee, Walker was stabbed 4 times in the stomach and the face, and Valtz was stabbed once in the back. The accused, later identified as Michael Carter, age 24, of Sea Bright, and Emmanuel Bylander, age 26, of Eatontown, fled the scene and were pursued by the security staff. Bylander was found and arrested by Officer Matt Widdis in the Windmill parking lot. Security staff flagged down Officer Sam Yoo, and with assistance from Officer James Bierne, they located and arrested Michael Carter, after a short struggle, hiding under the staircase leading to the West End beach.

Walker and Valtz were transported to the hospital, and after surgery both are expected to recover.

Carter was charged with Attempted Homicide, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an unlawful purpose. Bail was set at $362,500 and he is currently residing in the Monmouth County Jail. Bylander was charged with Obstruction of Justice and was released on a summons.

The investigation is being led by Detectives David House and Joseph Kennedy from the Detective Bureau, and is ongoing at this point. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detective Bureau at 732-222-1000.

Above information was provided in a prepared press release by Long Branch Public Safety Director Jason Roebuck