HARRISBURG, PA — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced charges against John J. Hawk, an off-duty Center Township police officer, for assaulting a witness at a shooting scene outside a Monaca Walmart last year. The 48-year-old victim died after the assault, where he was knocked to the ground and hit his head on asphalt.
During the investigation, Hawk, 37, allegedly provided untruthful testimony about the incident before a Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. The Grand Jury recommended charges of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, and perjury.
Hawk was arraigned on Wednesday after turning himself in, with bail set at $200,000 unsecured. He was an officer with the Center Township Police Department at the time of the incident.
Attorney General Henry emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “A badge does not permit any officer to break the laws they are trusted to uphold.”
The incident occurred on November 6, 2022. The victim, a bystander, approached an officer with potential evidence. Hawk, off-duty and in casual clothes, confronted and assaulted the victim without announcing himself as police or displaying credentials. Hawk’s actions were not compliant with Center Township Police Department policy.
The medical examiner concluded the victim’s death was due to blunt force trauma and stress inflicted by Hawk. Investigations showed the victim was compliant and non-threatening at the time of the assault.