Prosecutor: Cops Justified Using Deadly Force on North Jersey Man

The three Phillipsburg police officers who opened fire on a local man carrying a knife in his home won’t face any charges after an investigation revealed their use of deadly force was justified, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke announced Tuesday.

Officers John Maczko, Louis DeLuca, and John Francheschino responded to 463 South Main Street in Phillipsburg at 9:26 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014 for a report of a man sending threatening messages.

When they arrived on scene, they found Thomas Read Jr., 36, on the first floor of the home wielding a knife in “a threatening manner” and refusing to come outside, Burke said.

The officers entered the home to confront Read, who didn’t comply with police orders to drop the knife, Burke said. Read then advanced at the officers and was subsequently shot, Burke said.

Read was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.

The investigation revealed all three officers discharged their weapons in the incident and the use of deadly force was justified. No criminal charges are warranted, Burke said.

The number of shots fired and how many times Read was struck has not been disclosed yet. It is also not known if the officers have returned to work, as they were placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

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