Two members of the Vermont State Police were justified

The Attorney General’s Office concluded that two members of the Vermont State Police were justified when they shot a man who was reportedly firing at them in East Burke last summer. Sgt. Joshua Mikkola and Trooper Richard Berlandy were placed on paid, relief-from-duty status after the incident on July 14 when they fired their guns at Brenden Sackal along Rt. 114. While driving a white pickup, Sackal, who was wanted by law enforcement in Rhode Island at the time, came to a stop on the road in front of 2188 Rt. 114 after crashing into two state police cruisers, officials said. Once stopped, Sackal reportedly fired at law enforcement. Sgt. Mikkola and Trooper Berlandy returned fire with their VSP-issued handguns and Sackal was struck by bullets. He was treated at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.