Full Notification

NEWS RELEASE
Release Date: February 2, 2017
Modesto Police Department
Media Relations Unit
Office of the Chief of Police
600 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Author: Heather Graves

Modesto, CA – A multi-agency investigation continues for an officer-involved shooting that occurred Monday evening in the 3700 block of Maserati Drive.

At about 9:00 p.m. Monday, officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from a woman reporting a family disturbance. The caller indicated that her estranged husband was in violation of a protective order, appeared to be under the influence and was vandalizing her vehicle while she sat outside of her residence.

When officers arrived, they contacted 42-year-old Spencer Herckt in the alley behind the victim’s residence. As they attempted to place Herckt into handcuffs, he broke free and ran into the victim’s garage. Officers gave chase and tased Herckt to stop him from fleeing further. As they began to take him into custody a second time, Herckt violently resisted and assaulted Officer Lewis Sargent in the back of the head with a large glass object. Both officers deployed their duty weapons, striking Herckt. Medical personnel on scene attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced deceased.

The officers involved, Samuel Muncy, who has been with the City of Modesto for 3 years, and Lewis Sargent, who has been with the City of Modesto for nearly 2 years, have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is a standard procedure with all officer-involved shootings. Sargent was medically treated for minor injuries.

Three separate and independent investigations have been launched into this incident. The Modesto Police Department is conducting both a criminal and administrative investigation and the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office is conducting an independent review of the incident.

If you have any information regarding criminal activity, please call Crime Stoppers at 209- 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters may also text information to Crime Stoppers at 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

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