An off-duty officer from the Center Township Police Department has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and other offenses following a fatal encounter in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that the charges stemming from an incident that occurred last year outside a Walmart in Monaca, Pennsylvania, were filed on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
On November 6, 2022, Officer John J. Hawk, 37, while off-duty and dressed in casual attire, assaulted a 48-year-old bystander at the scene of a shooting.
The bystander, Kenneth Vinyard, who was attempting to provide potential evidence to the police, approached an officer at the scene. Officer Hawk intervened, pulling Vinyard away without identifying himself as an officer or displaying a badge.
According to Center Township Police Department policy, he did not have the authority to intervene.
Hawk struck Vinyard in the chest and performed a leg-sweep maneuver, causing him to fall and hit his head on the asphalt. He was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival. The medical examiner attributed his death to blunt force trauma and stress from the assault.
Investigations revealed that the victim was compliant, not aggressive, and did not pose a physical threat to Hawk or others present. Officers on duty and present at the scene testified that Hawk was only asked to secure the perimeter and had not identified himself as an officer.
After months of testimony, the Statewide Investigating Grand Jury found no legal justification for Hawk’s use of force. The Grand Jury’s presentation led to charges against Hawk, including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, and perjury. He was arraigned with bail set at $200,000 unsecured. He is out on bond and is expected to appear in court in January 2024.
Attorney General Henry emphasized that Officer Hawk’s actions led to the death of an individual who posed no threat. She emphasized that law enforcement officers take an oath to protect and serve, and a badge does not permit any officer to break the laws they are trusted to uphold. She vowed that her office will hold public officials accountable when they harm citizens.
