Woman Slain After Stabbing Reno Police Officers

RENO, Nev. — A woman who attacked two police officers with a steak knife after threatening to kill herself and her daughter was shot to death, authorities said Thursday.

Officer Pam Cercek, 41, was stabbed through her shoulder and out her back with the seven-inch knife, Deputy Police Chief Jim Weston said.

But the officers’ wounds were not life-threatening and both were released from the hospital.

Kaylyn Cotton-Dobie, 34, became irate and attacked officers Wednesday night when they responded to a disturbance call at the Palace Annex Apartments, Weston said.

“Both officers were able to draw their handguns and each fired at Cotton-Dobie,” Weston said. She died Wednesday night during surgery.

The woman concealed a knife in a coat pocket until Officer Matt Dellavella, 30, reached out to grab her arm, Weston said.

Both officers suffered multiple stab wounds, including the “through and through wound” suffered by Cercek, a 20-year department veteran, Weston said. Dellavella, a 13-year veteran, was stabbed in the head, the upper chest and the side.

Weston said witnesses have indicated that Cotton-Dobie attacked officers before they fired. An investigation is continuing.