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Joseph John Howard

Age : 35

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 08/05/2021

Location : 67 Paula Street

City : Hartford

County : Windsor

State : Vermont

Agency : Hartford Police Department, Vermont State Police

Officer(s) :Eric Clifford

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during arrest

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/05/2021, Hartford Police responded to a 911 call from homeowner Michael Martin, 68, who reported that an unknown man was on his property on Paula Street, refusing to leave and causing him to fear for his safety. Corporal Eric Clifford arrived approximately six minutes later and found Joseph John Howard, 35, sitting in the passenger seat of the homeowner's pickup truck with the door open. Clifford attempted to identify Howard and repeatedly instructed him to remain where he was. Instead, Howard exited the truck and confronted the officer, asking, "What are you going to spray me and sic the dogs on me?" Clifford deployed pepper spray, but it had no apparent effect. Howard immediately attacked the officer, punching him repeatedly in the head, forcing him to the ground, and strangling him. During the struggle, Clifford fired his service weapon, striking Howard twice in the chest. Howard died at the scene. Clifford was treated at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for injuries and released the same day.
The Vermont State Police conducted the criminal investigation. The case was reviewed by both the Vermont Attorney General's Office and the Washington County State's Attorney's Office.
On November 15, 2021, Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan ruled that Corporal Clifford's use of deadly force was legally justified because he reasonably believed he was in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm while being strangled. No criminal charges were filed against the officer.
An external administrative investigation commissioned by the Town of Hartford also concluded that Corporal Clifford acted within department policy and training. After completion of the reviews, he returned to duty.
Howard's autopsy determined that he died from two gunshot wounds to the chest. The manner of death was ruled homicide (shot by law enforcement). Toxicology testing detected methadone and anabolic steroids.
Howard had no prior documented contacts with the Hartford Police Department before this incident.
Corporal Eric Clifford had served approximately 12 years with the Hartford Police Department and was the department's K-9 handler.
Body-worn camera footage existed and was reviewed extensively by investigators and the Attorney General during the justification review. However, the footage was not publicly released.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wcax.com/2021/08/06/police-id-bradford-man-shot-by-police/