Several Johnstown Police officers will not face criminal charges for their use of deadly force. March 2, 2016, three officers were placed on leave for a short time after the shooting death of Daniel David Burkhardt.

After a lengthy investigation Cambria County District Kelly Callihan said, “It is my legal opinion that no criminal charges should be filed against any of the above-named officers as I find the actions taken by them were legally justified.”

Police responded to a home in the city’s West End neighborhood after Burkhardt threatened a women with a knife. 

When they arrived on, Burkhardt said “shoot me” and advanced towards them.  Officers repeatedly asked him to put down his knife, but Burkhardt refused.  That’s when one officer hit him with bean bag rounds, another him with a taser that had little effect.

Burkhardt continued to advance and that’s when all three officers opened fire, killing him.

The Cambria County Coroner said drugs that are found in cough syrup were in Burkhardt’s system. His mother also told investigators her son was bi-polar.

Callihan said dashcam video and audio recordings played a crucial role in this case.

She said it’s important to thoroughly investigate all officer involved shootings because “every one is different, every one is unique, and every officer is faced with different circumstances.”