The Vermont Attorney General's Office has concluded its review of an officer-involved shooting that took place on July 14, 2024, in Burke, Vermont. Attorney General Charity Clark announced that no charges will be filed against Vermont State Police Sergeant Joshua Mikkola and Trooper Richard Berlandy for their use of potentially deadly force in the incident involving Brenden Sackal. The Caledonia County State’s Attorney’s Office also decided not to prosecute after conducting its own review.
Attorney General Clark determined that the actions of Sergeant Mikkola and Trooper Berlandy were "objectively reasonable and justified" under Vermont law. According to the investigation, both officers believed they were in imminent danger from Mr. Sackal, who was wanted on felony warrants and reportedly made threats against law enforcement.
The events began when Rhode Island State Police issued an advisory regarding Mr. Sackal as a potentially armed and dangerous individual. A pursuit initiated by US Border Patrol agents near Pittsburgh, New Hampshire continued into Vermont after attempts to stop Mr. Sackal failed. Despite having his tires spiked, Mr. Sackal fled on tire rims until VSP officers joined the chase alongside Border Patrol agents and an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy.
A rolling roadblock was attempted near Morgan, Vermont, where Mr. Sackal allegedly struck Sergeant Mikkola's cruiser with his vehicle. During another attempt to halt him, Trooper Berlandy's vehicle was rammed by Mr. Sackal, pinning Berlandy inside his car before it became stuck in a ditch.
Exiting his disabled vehicle wearing a tactical helmet and wielding an automatic weapon, Mr. Sackal engaged in gunfire with the officers. Both Trooper Berlandy and Sergeant Mikkola discharged their firearms during this confrontation until Mr. Sackal surrendered after seemingly running out of ammunition.
Mr. Sackal sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound to the chest and was subsequently charged by the Caledonia State’s Attorney’s Office with multiple offenses including Attempted Aggravated Murder and Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.
Under 13 V.S.A § 2305(3), given the totality of circumstances faced during the incident, it was deemed reasonable for Sergeant Mikkola and Trooper Berlandy to use deadly force as they perceived no viable alternative to protect themselves from serious harm or death.
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