HARTFORD—An investigation continues into the Aug. 5 fatal police shooting of a man in Hartford.
The Hartford police officer who was attacked and subsequently fired his duty weapon is Cpl. Eric Clifford, a 12-year veteran of the Hartford Police Dept.
The deceased man was identified as Joseph John Howard, 35, of Bradford. An autopsy performed by the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington identified the cause of his death as gunshot wounds to the chest, and the manner of death as homicide — shot by law enforcement. Howard had no prior involvements with the Hartford Police Dept. and was not known to the agency.
Michael Martin, 68, who lives at the Paula Street address where the incident took place, called 911 to report that Howard, whom he did not know, showed up at his residence shortly after he returned home. Howard confronted Martin in his driveway, causing him to fear for his safety, and refused to leave the property.
When Cpl. Clifford arrived on scene, Howard ignored the officer’s directions and charged at him. Clifford then deployed pepper spray at the subject. But the spray was unsuccessful in subduing Howard and he attacked the officer. While they were both on the ground the subject repeatedly punched the officer in the head and strangled him. Cpl. Clifford then fired his service weapon, fatally injuring Howard. He was pronounced dead on scene.
The officer was treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and discharged later Thursday night. He is on administrative leave per standard Hartford Police Department policy.
State police investigators are continuing their work on the case. When the investigation is complete, police will turn over the case to the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office for independent reviews of Cpl. Clifford’s use of deadly force. The Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office has recused itself from the matter.
