NJ Police Officer, Richard Klementovich, 42, Barricades Himself In Estranged Wife’s House, Shoots At Cops
An off-duty Clifton police officer is barricaded inside the house of his estranged wife and is shooting at police, authorities said
The man alone inside the house at 25 Bittersweet Drive in Doylestown has been identified as Richard Klementovich, 42, a Clifton police officer.
He is an 18-year law enforcement veteran who made $114,560 in 2011, according to state records.
Clifton Sgt. Robert Bracken said members of the Clifton police department are on scene and working with local authorities.
David Mettin, Chief of the Pennridge Regional police department, said Doylestown Borough police arrived earlier this afternoon after a report of a dispute between neighbors.
As soon as police arrived Klementovich opened fire, according to Mettin. One round bounced off the curb and shrapnel struck Cpl. William Doucette in the face. Doucette was taken to a local hospital and released, Mettin said.
Nearby roads have been closed off and emergency radio channels have requested airspace in the area be cleared up to 30,000 feet within a 30-mile radius of the scene.
The Bucks County’s Emergency Alert System sent out this message at 6:25 p.m.: This is a message from Doylestown township police. the situation with the armed subject on Bittersweet Drive continues. Police officers are working to resolve the situation. Residents in the neighborhood near the intersection of Windsor way should shelter in place in the basement, it is the safest place. Also ensure that your doors are locked.
Dan Boerner, who lives a few doors down from Klementovich said his wife and two sons are hiding in the basement. He has been communicating with his oldest son via text messages because police are not allowing anyone back into the area. Boerner is currently about a half-mile away.
Boerner said his son told him there were 18 to 20 shots fired. The three immediately hit the floor and sought shelter in the basement.
“My wife is a wreck and my two sons are scared,” he said.
Less than 24 hours before the shooting, Klementovich took to Facebook to post an album of nearly 40 photos from his time in the military.
A U.S. Army veteran, Klementovich served in the Persian Gulf War as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, according to news clips from the 1990s.
In 1991, Klementovich was quoted in a Philadelphia Inquirer story about the Gulf War as saying, “They don’t have a chance,” and “We’re going to do him in,” referring to Saddam Hussein.
On his mortar, Klementovich wrote “Saddam is going to die,” according to the paper.
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