Okan Ozcan, who stabbed cop at Hyde Park, dies in Long Bay jail

A man who stabbed a police officer in the head at Hyde Park last year has died while behind bars.

Police Constable Elvis Poa receiving medical treatment after being stabbed in the head multiple times near Hyde Park. Picture: Channel 9

A man who stabbed a police officer in the head at Hyde Park last year has died behind bars.

Okan Ozcan was found dead in his cell at Long Bay Prison in Sydney’s south on Tuesday morning, where he was on remand charged with the attack on NSW Police Constable Elvis Poa on May 19 last year.

Police and corrective services sources said after Ozcan’s death an investigation was underway, but the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Ozcan was facing four charges including causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, custody of knife in a public place, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and robbery armed with a weapon.

Okan Ozcan was found dead in his cell at Long Bay Jail on Tuesday. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

He was next due to face court on July 15, but the case will now be discontinued.

Ozcan had approached Constable Poa from behind and stabbed him in the head multiple times at Hyde Park , before fleeing along Elizabeth St.

Despite suffering two skull fractures in the attack, the wounded Constable Poa heroically got up and gave chase.

Okan Ozcan was charged with stabbing a police officer at a Hyde Park protest in 2024. Picture: TNV

He and a female police officer managed to corral Ozcan a short time later, at which point the attacker was “demanding that police shoot him”, before police Tazered him.

Constable Poa was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment, with his actions widely praised the next day by cops and politicians.

Constable Elvis Poa bravely chased down Ozcan, after being stabbed in the head.

Constable Elvis Poa leaves St Vincent’s Hospital. Picture: Channel 9

“I just want to say on behalf of the government to this officer, (it was) just incredible, brave stuff that we saw,” Deputy Premier Prue Car told Sunrise the next day.

“He actually ran towards the (alleged) offender while he was waiting for other officers to come to his aid.

“That’s the training and the bravery of our NSW police officers, (it is) is second to none.”

Corrective Services NSW has been contacted for comment.
Note: An earlier version of this story said the officer was attacked while working at a pro-Palestinian rally, that was incorrect. Instead the officers were performing regular duties at the time of the incident.

Originally published as Okan Ozcan, who stabbed cop at Hyde Park, dies in Long Bay jail