New Milford Dad Accused of Punching Cop During Graduation

By Patch Editor Ann Piccirillo

The lack of seating at New Milford High School's graduation ceremony at Paramus Catholic Monday caused an irate parent to throw a punch at a New Milford cop, resulting in his arrest for allegedly assaulting a police officer, New Milford police said. 

According to Chief Frank Papapietro, Sanjiv Agarwal, 49, of New Milford became angry when he found out that all of the seats had been taken inside the auditorium where the ceremony was taking place.

Because of the amount of guests attending the ceremony, Papapietro said that Paramus police and Paramus Catholic staff informed guests that fire codes prevented them from standing in the rear of the auditorium or in the aisles once the seats were filled. Those who arrived after the auditorium seats were filled were directed to two classrooms equipped with live streaming of the ceremony. 

According to Papapietro, Agarwal and his family refused to be directed to the classrooms, choosing instead to stand in the hallway outside of the auditorium “taunting” the New Milford School Resource Officers and a Paramus Police Officer who were assigned to the event.

“Agarwal was instructed several times to lower his voice because he could be heard from inside the auditorium,” Papapietro said. "The officers wanted to prevent the ceremony from being disturbed." 

Refusing to comply, Papapietro reported that Agarwal tried to force his way into the auditorium by pushing guests and teachers out of his way.

Agarwal ignored Paramus Police Captain Robert Guidetti when he asked him to leave and continued to push people out of his way in order to get inside the auditorium, Papapietro said. 

Papapietro said that when New Milford Officers Bill Wilde and Keith Wester tried to remove Agarwal, he punched Wilde.

“Agawal continued to put up a struggle as officers tried to remove him from the auditorium and he fell, receiving a laceration on his head when he hit the center door post,” Papapietro said. 

According to Papapietro, the officers applied first aid to Agarwal before taking him to Valley Hospital for treatment. 

Agarwal was arrested and charged by Paramus police with assaulting an officer. He was released pending a July 10 court appearance in Paramus. Additional charges are pending, police said.

“The fact that this unfortunate incident did not disrupt the special night for our graduates or their guests is a credit to the officers who professionally diffused a highly charged and emotional situation,” Papapietro said.