Forks Officer on Leave After Alleged Shotgun Incident

A Forks Township police officer is on administrative leave following an incident in which he allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at his girlfriend and shoved her in late January.

Patch.com reported then that Matthew Balodis, 30, of High Street in Tatamy, was charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats and harassment, according to court records.

Balodis is on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation, Forks Township Police Chief Greg Dorney said. Balodis, a Forks police officer since August 2007, is being paid while on leave, the Easton Express-Times reported.

Dorney said the shotgun was not department-owned and the incident did not involve Forks Township, the story states.

Dorney said Thursday in an email that he was not authorized to comment since it is a personnel matter.

A criminal complaint filed by Trooper Robert Ace of state police at Belfast said the incident occurred around 4:42 a.m. When Ace arrived at Balodis’ residence, he talked to the girlfriend, who said she and Balodis had been arguing in the residence’s office.

Balodis was holding a shotgun and trying to unjam a shotgun shell from the weapon, she told the trooper.

She said that during the argument, Balodis pointed the shotgun at her and asked her to leave. He then shoved her, she said. She left and called a friend.

Related Topics: Aggravated Assault, Matthew Balodis, Pennsylvania State Police at Belfast, and Tatamy