Clifton Thomson

Deadly force

Cpls. John Hartley, and Officers Cody Becker, Noah Pottierger and Stephen McClure of the Northern York County Regional Police responded to a call from a WellSpan crisis counselor--who had been on the phone with Thomson--stating that he was suicidal. On arriving, the officers found the suspect in him kitchen, armed with a Marlin 30-30 caliber rifle. After refusing several orders to drop his weapon, Thomson was shot and killed by Officer Cody Becker. York County District Attorney Tom Kearney believed Thomson's goal was to commit "suicide by cop," and the shooting was ruled justified.