(WNY News Now) – HARRISBURG, PA — An off-duty police officer has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the 2022 death of a bystander outside a Walmart in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
John J. Hawk, 38, a Center Township police officer, entered guilty pleas Tuesday to charges of involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, and reckless endangerment. He was sentenced by Beaver County Judge Richard Mancini to five years of probation. There was no plea agreement between Hawk’s defense counsel and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
The charges stem from a November 6, 2022, incident in which Kenneth Vinyard, a bystander, was assaulted by Hawk at the scene of a shooting outside the Walmart in Center Township. Vinyard, who was not considered a threat, had approached a police officer to provide potential evidence when Hawk — off-duty and in casual clothing — intervened.
According to investigators, Hawk pulled Vinyard away from the officer and, shortly after, struck him in the chest while using a leg-sweep maneuver that caused him to fall. Vinyard later died at a nearby hospital. A medical examiner ruled that the blunt force trauma and the stress caused by the assault contributed to his death.
“This sworn officer’s actions contributed to the death of a man who was not a threat to anyone at the scene of this shooting,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “My team was fully prepared to try this case, but, after selecting a jury on Monday, we were informed the defendant wished to plead guilty.”
The prosecution was led by Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry and Senior Deputy Attorney General Kara Rice. The case followed an investigation supported by a presentment from a Statewide Investigating Grand Jury.
During sentencing, members of Vinyard’s family spoke emotionally, describing him as the “glue that held their family together.”
Leave a Reply