UTICA — A Saratoga Springs police officer who wrestled an attacker to the ground after being slashed in the neck was honored Wednesday.

Patrolman Adam Baker was given the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police Medal of Honor because of his actions during the Sept. 5, 2007, attack by mental patient Seth Dawson.

Four other police officers were also given the award in a ceremony Wednesday.

Dawson, 20, had fled from Four Winds Saratoga that day and slashed Baker's throat with a razor when Baker approached Dawson. The five-inch-long cut was only a quarter of an inch from being fatal, authorities said.

Baker was flown to Albany Medical Center after getting treatment at the scene from his police colleagues and a civilian witness.

Dawson pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon in January. He currently is serving a 7- to 14-year sentence at Wende Correctional Facility, a maximum-security state prison in Erie County.