Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District police officer arrested, placed on leave

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A police officer for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District was placed on leave after an arrest, according to Senior Public Information Specialist Jennifer Elting.

Shawn Willard was placed on paid administrative leave after an off-duty arrest Aug. 30.

According to the Cleveland Police report, officers were dispatched to the Forest City Yacht Club around 8 p.m. for a man being assaulted.

Officers were met by the victim who, according to the release, said he watched an intoxicated young man fall off a swimming platform of a boat and hit his head.

When the victim walked over to check on the young man, an intoxicated Willard, who was also on the boat, began to argue with him.

Willard then leaped off the boat, according to the report, and strangled the victim and pushed him into a park bench leaving him with cuts to his chin and leg.

The victim was treated by EMS, however witnesses reported seeing Willard leave the scene and walk to the Lakeside Yacht Club.

Officers located Willard at the Lakeshore Yacht Club, but when asked about the incident Willard said he had “no clue” and said he had been at the Lakeshore Yacht Club since 4 p.m.

Officer then asked Lakeshore Yacht Club to see the security camera footage which show Willard walking into the club with two people behind him at 8:15 p.m.

Cleveland Police charged Willard with a first-degree assault misdemeanor.

19News did find that Willard was previously employed by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and the Put-In-Bay Police Department, according to OPATA.

19NewS has requested the court document in this case, but have not yet received them.

This is a developing story. Be sure to check back with 19News for updates.

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