The Plymouth County Sheriff's Office has released a statement from Deputy Sheriff James Creed.

Creed, off-duty at the time, was having dinner with his wife at Bertucci's Italian Restaurant at the Silver City Galleria on May 10 when Arthur DaRosa entered the restaurant and began attacking a waitress and several patrons with a knife. The attack inside the restaurant claimed the life of George Heath, a teacher at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, and left waitress Sheenah Savoy in serious condition.

Creed, armed with his personal firearm, identified himself as a Deputy Sheriff and shot DaRosa when he refused to drop the knife. DaRosa was transported to Morton Hospital in Taunton where he was declared dead.

Creed remains on paid administrative leave pending completion of the District Attorney and State Police’s inquiry into the Taunton events.

The following is a statement from Deputy Sheriff James Creed:

"First, we want to extend our sympathies and condolences to all of the individuals and families affected by the events on May 10. This was in every way a senseless tragedy, and one that we wish had never occurred. My wife and I will be forever impacted by the events of Tuesday night.

"We would like to acknowledge the bravery of Mr. Heath, who selflessly intervened in the situation. Without his actions, the outcome could have been even worse.

"I would also like to acknowledge my wife, a nurse, who administered first aid to the victims in the restaurant. We would also like to thank all of the first responders, the Bristol and Plymouth County Sheriff's Departments, the SEMLEC Critical Incident Support Team, and the other agencies that have supported us.

"While we appreciate all of the kind words and messages that we have received, there is no cause for celebration regarding this incident. We only wish to go back to our jobs, our families, and our lives.

"We ask that you keep the victims, their families and all of those affected by this incident in your thoughts."

James Creed is a Deputy Sheriff K-9 officer with the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office.  He received his Bachelor's Degree from Westfield State University, a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University and is currently studying for a graduate certificate in Criminal Justice Leadership in Police Development from UMass Lowell.

Deputy Sheriff Creed graduated from PSCD BCCO County Corrections Training in 2005, the Plymouth Police Academy in 2006 and K-9 Training in 2007. For mutual aid purposes, Deputy Sheriff Creed was sworn in as a Bristol County Sheriff in 2016.  His K-9 partners are Rony and Boing. James is originally from Weymouth, MA.

Laura (Walsh) Creed has been a nurse at Brigham and Women's Hospital since 2011, in the burn trauma, surgery and kidney transplant units.   She graduated in 2010 from Curry College with her B.S., R.N. Laura is originally from the Lower Mills section of Dorchester.

More From WFHN-FM/FUN 107