Level 3 Sex Offender Charged with Stabbing Danvers Police Officer

Roy Limbaugh, 58, of 37 Pope Ln., was arrested this morning after stabbing a Danvers police officer and fleeing the scene. 

According to Sergeant Bob Bettencourt, the incident happened at about 5:30 a.m., when Patrol Officer John Melto was doing surveillance on Pope Lane when was confronted by Limbaugh, who had outstanding warrants.

The situation is still under investigation, and Bettencourt said how the events transpired is still unclear, as Melto was the only officer on the scene. Had Melto been going to his residence on charges of the warrant, there would have been two officers present, Bettencourt said. 

After Melto received wounds to the arm, neck, and head, he drove to the parking lot of , where he was then taken to the hospital. Melto sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

Limbaugh fled from the scene in a red Volkswagen Jetta, and was found by State Police in Randolph at 7:04 this morning. The State Police Crime Scene Services Section is processing the crime scene in Danvers.

Limbaugh is a level three sex offender in the state of Massachusetts, after a conviction of assault with rape intent in 1999.