Family of man who died trying to help Beaver County shooting victim sues Center Township, police officer

The sister of a Beaver County man who died after being tackled by a Center Township police officer as he was trying to help a shooting victim in November has filed a federal lawsuit against the township and the officer.

Deborah Little filed the complaint on behalf of her brother, Kenneth E. Vinyard, against Center Township and Officer John Hawk.

Center Township police Chief Barry Kramer referred a request for comment to township Solicitor Vincent Tucceri, who did not immediately return a message.

According to the lawsuit, Marcy Beatty, Vinyard’s fiancee, drove him and a friend to Walmart around 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6.

As Beatty was in the store and Vinyard, 48, of Industry, and his friend remained in the car, a man was shot in the parking lot.

The lawsuit said Vinyard chased the vehicle believed to belong to the shooter to get his license plate, which he did.

Vinyard then returned to the wounded victim to provide first aid, the complaint said.

Beatty exited the store and also provided aid, including putting pressure on the wound.

At that same time, the lawsuit said, first responders arrived. Hawk was among them, although he was not on duty and was wearing civilian clothing, the complaint said. The lawsuit said Hawk never identified himself as a police officer.

The lawsuit said Hawk approached Vinyard to remove him from the scene and then attacked him “without any provocation by anyone.”

The complaint said Hawk “forcibly and violently propelled (Vinyard) to the ground, causing (him) to strike his head on the pavement” and fracturing his skull. The complaint said Vinyard suffered a seizure after hitting his head on the pavement.

Beatty began chest compressions on him, but Vinyard was unresponsive. He was taken to the Heritage Valley Beaver hospital, where he later died.

The lawsuit said Vinyard never acted aggressively or threatened Hawk or anyone else that evening.

The complaint said that Center Township took no action against Hawk, including suspending him during the investigation. Chief Kramer would not say what Hawk’s employment status was on Wednesday.