In Clearfield County, a community doesn’t know yet why a police officer was shot and killed. The case is closed, but the family still doesn’t have answers. The murdered cop’s son says he won’t put down his father’s badge until he uncovers the mystery. 

 

Pat Domico was 25 years old when he saw his father Lyle, a police officer,  shot dead at this spot, near the Curwensville VFW.

Passerby Paul Lynch found the body, slumped in the patrol car that December 28th, 1964.

There was no pulse, no suspect and no motive. Police around the region were on alert. They didn’t know who was out there and if they’d kill again.

At 8 the next morning, Ethel Klusak called police, saying Richard Lines, a 38 year old brickyard worker she was dating, shot and killed Domico. She said he forced her to drive, and stop patrolman Domico. Then Lines ran over and shot the officer three times. She claims she was right next to him when it happened and he cried out “my God, why me?”

 

This lead to the largest manhunt in the region’s history. 100 local, county and state officers started the search for Richard Lines. After two days on the run, officers had lines surrounded but they didn’t know it. He was hiding in bushes near his home. He had to made an escape and there happened to be a train rolling next to where he was hiding. So he jumped on and took it towards Lumber City, escaping the police trap.

 

Lines turned himself in two days later. He put the blame on Klusak. He says she was drunk the night of the murder. And she’s the one that fired the gun. The first trial got underway with these two conflicting stories. But when children yelled up at jurors about the case outside their hotel room, it lead to a mistrial. In the second trial, after 22 hours, the jury found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter, and reccommended 12 years in prison. He would only serve seven. Pat Domico’s family was bitter. They felt the punishment did not fit the crime. Lines never admitted to the shooting. The jury was reportedly easy on Lines because they thought Ethel Klusak was involved. She was never charged, and no answers surfaced.

That’s what the Domico family has a problem with to this day. Why was their father shot and killed? What was hidden from the case that they never learned. 52 years later, Pat Domico still carries his dad’s badge, and is still searching for answers. He’s hoping to bring peace and closure to his family.

 

As compensation for Lyle Domico’s death, Pat’s mother got 50 dollars a month for 5 years. Both Klusak and Lines died without shedding any further light on the case.