Richard Joseph Novak, 70, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, died of multiple gunshot wounds on March 11, 2022, inside the family’s double block home at 1205–1207 S. Prospect St. A former Newport Township police officer and active member of St. Faustina Parish and the West Side Club, Novak was described as a family man who enjoyed fishing and the outdoors.

Court records state Novak was shot multiple times in the upper body with a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun registered to his son, Kevin Novak, 32, during an argument; Novak was shot while lying on the floor and multiple shell casings were recovered in the room. Kevin was initially found incompetent to face homicide charges but was later declared competent; he entered a no contest plea to third-degree murder and received a 12 to 30 year state prison sentence, with restitution ordered to the family.

Readers who knew Richard or have information about the incident are asked to share what they remember.