NJ Police Officer amid Bitter Divorce Has 10-hour Standoff with Pennsylvania Authorities

Pennsylvania police were called to a home on Bittersweet Ln. on Father’s Day to answer a civil dispute call. When they arrived, they were greeted by a note written by New Jersey police officer, Richard Klementovich, stating he had numerous firearms and was ready to die. Klementovich was troubled by his recent divorce.

The stand-off lasted 10 hours with Klementovich sporadically firing rounds at the police in an attempt to commit “suicide by cop.”

Klementovich, who recently went through a bitter divorce, arranged a Father’s Day get together with his ex and their children, but showed up at their empty home instead and initiated the standoff. Earlier that day he sent text messages and emails to his estranged spouse and family telling them he wanted to kill himself.

Pennsylvania police eventually arrested Klementovich after he surrendered and charged him with 85 counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and endangerment.

Klementovich was emotionally distraught, according to his colleagues on the New Jersey police force. Many divorces are acrimonious, as any divorce lawyer can confirm, but they don’t have to end in suicide or any other tragedy as long as person gets the emotional support they need during this trying time.

Ending a marriage is hard on the couple and their children if they have any. One of the main reasons an estranged couple should hire a Pennsylvania divorce attorney is too help them come up a divorce and custody settlement that creates less emotional distress.

If you anticipate that contentious issues will arise in your divorce proceedings, a well-versed divorce lawyer in Pennsylvania can clarify your legal rights and meet these issues head on. They are capable of obtaining the child custody and support agreements along with peacefully dividing assets and property.