Handcuffed NJ Man Suffers Medical Episode, Dies 5 Day Later

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ — A man died days after being handcuffed by police in Hunterdon County, prompting a state investigation.

The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) is investigating the death of Steven Fitzpatrick, 61, of Pittstown, after a March 10 encounter with police in Franklin Township, Hunterdon County.

Just after 10 a.m. on March 10, a 911 caller reported that a family member, who had left a home on Locust Grove Road after a fight, threatened to return with a gun, according to the Attorney General's Office.

While speaking to the 911 caller at the home, Franklin Township Police Officer Tyler Sutton reportedly saw Fitzpatrick drive onto the property.

Sutton went up to the vehicle and ordered Fitzpatrick to get out so he could be detained and searched for weapons.

Franklin Township Police Officer Mitchell Molina and Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Detective John Laurencelle also came to the home to help.

While the three officers handcuffed Fitzpatrick, he suffered an apparent medical episode, according to authorities.

Officers provided medical aid until emergency medical personnel came and took Fitzpatrick to Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington for further treatment.

Fitzpatrick was pronounced dead on March 15.

"The circumstances of the encounter and cause and manner of death are under investigation, which is ongoing. No further information is being released at this time," according to the Attorney General's Office.

Under N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), the Attorney General's Office must investigate a person's death that happens during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in an official capacity or while the person is in custody. The law also requires those investigations to be presented to a grand jury to determine whether the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.

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