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Ex-Norristown Officer Charged After Striking Naked Man with Patrol Car: "Not a Necessary Use of Deadly Force"

On Feb. 4, 2026, a Norristown police sergeant was charged after investigators say he used his patrol vehicle to strike a naked man, according to District Attorney Kevin R. Steele.
Norristown officers responded at 8:04 a.m. Feb. 4 after reports of a naked man screaming and damaging cars at West Airy and Stanbridge streets, who then tried to open a police vehicle's doors.
Following DeOrzio's radioed instruction, he accelerated his patrol vehicle and struck Rich, who was unarmed and standing with his hands on his hips, without warning.
County protocol prompted an independent review by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, and District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced charges Tuesday; the case will be prosecuted by Edward F. McCann Jr. and Tanner Beck.
The investigation concluded the response was not a necessary use of deadly force, and Justin Rich was released from Main Line Health Paoli Hospital on Feb. 6.

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