Officer

Girlfriend of Slain Darby Borough Officer Accused of Threatening Him With Knife Last Summer

The girlfriend of an off-duty Darby Borough police officer who was shot and killed over the weekend is in custody after she was charged with threatening him with a knife last summer. She is also expected to be charged in his murder.

Tyaina Finch is charged with possession of an instrument of crime with intent, simple assault and terroristic threats in connection to an incident that occurred last year.

Darby Borough Police Officer Mark Hudson, 26, called police to his home on Aug. 8, 2014, after he and Finch, who was his girlfriend at the time, were having an argument, investigators said.

The two were in the middle of a break-up and Hudson had told her to leave his home, according to officials. During the argument, Finch allegedly grabbed an 8-inch kitchen knife while screaming at Hudson. Hudson hid in an upstairs bedroom, locked the door and called police, investigators said.

Sources also tell NBC10 Finch is expected to be charged in Hudson's death.

Hudson was at his Magnolia Street home in Darby Township Saturday around 4:30 p.m. when he was shot in the chest in a second floor bedroom. Sources told NBC10 Hudson was shot by his own service revolver several feet away.

Finch, who police say was inside the home when officers arrived, was taken away in handcuffs. Neighbors told NBC10 police were called to the home for domestic disputes several times over recent months.

Finch, who was suffering from an unrelated medical issue, according to sources, was taken to a local hospital. She was then arraigned on the charges in connection to the August, 2014 incident. Hudson’s handcuffs were placed on her wrists when the bedside arraignment took place, according to multiple sources.

Hudson worked part-time for the Darby Borough Police Department for four years. Darby Borough Police Chief Robert Smythe told NBC10 he planned to recommend him for full-time duty due to the quality of his work.

Hudson was also one of 50 volunteer firefighters in Yeadon Borough. He joined the fire company at the age of 16 and volunteered for the past 10 years.

"At first he was a little shy and then he opened up and he's everybody's friend," said Yeadon Fire Co. Chief Michael Dilenno. "He's got this infectious smile. He's just goofy and he's fun to be around. Everybody at the firehouse here loved him."

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