Two Bradford City Police officers are on medical leave after
being assaulted Saturday by a 20-year-old Bradford man at a Pearl
Street residence.

According to court records, Richard Herbstritt, 20, of 22 Kane
St., is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, first-degree
felonies; two counts of simple assault, second-degree misdemeanors;
resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor; and defiant
trespass, disorderly conduct and three counts of harassment, all
third-degree misdemeanors.

At 4:28 p.m. Saturday, Officers Mike Ward and Hiel “Butch”
Bartlett responded to a disturbance at 23 Pearl St. and attempted
to remove Herbstritt from the apartment. Herbstritt was standing
just inside the apartment door, and the officers requested several
times that he come outside on the front porch to speak to them, the
records read.

When Herbstritt did go onto the porch, he began yelling and
swearing at the officers. He then started swinging violently with
his hands and kicking with his feet at both Ward and Bartlett,
kicking Ward in the left knee, possibly dislocating it, the records
read.

Herbstritt then dragged Ward across the porch, injuring the
officer’s other knee. During the incident, Bartlett sustained
injuries to his knee and to his hand, according to the records.

“Both officers were examined and treated for their injuries and
require further medical evaluation before they may resume their
duties,” read a press release from Police Chief Roger Sager. The
chief added that both officers must see an orthopedic specialist
before resuming their duties.

He had no information on how long either officer would be off
work.

Herbstritt was arrested and arraigned Saturday evening in front
of on-call Magisterial District Judge Michael Kennedy in Kane.
Herbstritt is free on $10,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing in
the matter is scheduled for July 26 in front of Cercone.

Both officers Ward and Bartlett are normally scheduled on the
second shift.

The police department is considered fully staffed with the chief
and 21 officers, as three are employed full-time as parks and
parkways security as well.

There are currently believed to be 16 active duty officers
working at this time, covering three shifts at the city station.
One city official said, however, that there is no issue with staff
shortages.

“The city is being fully staffed,” said Mayor Michele Corignani
Monday evening. “We’re covering the shifts with overtime.”

She said she did not choose to comment further.

Sager offered no comment on the number of active duty
officers.

In January, the department lost Sgt. Tim Davis to a battle with
cancer; and in May, Sgt. Dan Close died as well.

Officer Jim Erwin was injured off-duty earlier this year and has
not been able to return to work. He worked the second shift, but
moved to the day shift just before he was injured.

Reportedly, Detective Cliff Jarrabet was placed on medical leave
in May. He worked the day shift.