Norristown Police Sergeant Charged with Assault After Striking Naked Man with Patrol SUV
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Sgt. Daniel DeOrzio, a 52-year-old supervisor with the Norristown Police Department, faces felony charges including aggravated assault after investigators determined he intentionally struck a naked pedestrian with his patrol vehicle on February 4. According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the incident began around 8:00 a.m. at the intersection of West Airy and Stanbridge Streets.
Review of surveillance and body-worn camera footage reportedly shows the victim, identified as Justin Rich, standing in the intersection while naked. Although Rich had been acting erratically—screaming and allegedly damaging vehicles—prosecutors allege he was standing still with his hands on his hips at the moment of impact. Investigators stated that DeOrzio, the ranking officer on the scene, ordered a civilian truck to move out of the way before accelerating his SUV directly into Rich, launching him into the air. The District Attorney, Kevin Steele, emphasized that DeOrzio did not attempt de-escalation techniques, such as verbal commands or less-lethal options, before using his vehicle as a weapon.
Objections
Defense representatives and police union officials often argue that video evidence does not capture the full sensory experience of the officer on the scene. In this case, the defense may contend that the officer perceived an immediate, escalating threat to public safety that required decisive action to neutralize. They might argue that the subject’s erratic behavior, which included attempting to open car doors and vandalizing vehicles, posed an unpredictable danger to motorists and bystanders that justified the use of force to prevent further harm. Furthermore, the defense could claim that the officer intended to “box in” or corral the subject rather than strike him with such force, attributing the impact to a miscalculation rather than malicious intent.
Background Info
Using a vehicle to strike a suspect is generally classified as “deadly force” under police use-of-force continuums, legally permissible only when an officer fears for their life or the lives of others. The charge of “official oppression” filed against DeOrzio is significant; it is a crime reserved for public servants who knowingly violate a person’s rights or mistreat them while acting in an official capacity.
Norristown, a municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, has faced scrutiny over police conduct in the past, leading to heightened tensions between law enforcement and the community. Following the incident, DeOrzio was placed on administrative leave, and the victim, who suffered injuries but was released from the hospital the same day, faces separate misdemeanor charges related to his conduct prior to the collision. This case is likely to reignite discussions regarding police training on handling individuals experiencing mental health crises without resorting to lethal force.
patch.com
