Homeless Syracuse man attacked off-duty deputy, cut officer’s face, deputies say

Folding Saw

Syracuse man used a folding saw to cut deputy's face.

Syracuse, N.Y. — A homeless Syracuse man was arrested Tuesday night after deputies say he attacked a deputy with a folding saw in a parking lot of the OnCenter.

Joseph H. Peters, 45, of Syracuse, was arrested for using the folding saw to cut a deputy across the officer’s face, according to an Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Around 11:10 p.m., two custody deputies, Shaquille Herbert and Lenell Graham, finished their shifts at the Onondaga County Justice Center on South State Street and were standing outside their cars, according to an affidavit from Herbert.

Peters was laying on the ground across the street from the men when he began yelling profanities at the deputies, according to the affidavit. Herbert told the Peters to go back to sleep, which made him more irate, according to the statement.

When Peters began approaching them in the parking lot, Graham said “we’re two sheriff’s deputies, you don’t want to do this,” according to the affidavit.

Peters used a metal stool to damage a truck owned by Herbert, the affidavit said. The damage to the car will cost Herbert approximately $250, he said.

Peters attacked the officer with the saw as the deputies attempted to arrest him, they said.

When Herbert grabbed the man’s arm, Peters sliced a three-inch cut across Herbert’s nose.

Herbert and Graham were able to overpower Peters and placed him in handcuffs while they waited for police to arrive, according to the affidavit.

Herbert was taken to Upstate University Hospital where they glued the wound and gave him a tetanus shot, according to the affidavit. He has since been released, deputies said.

Peters was charged with second-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal mischief.

He is being held at the Justice Center jail and was scheduled to be arraigned this morning.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com

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