Good Samaritan laws offer legal protection to people who give reasonable assistance to those who are, or whom they believe to be injured, ill, in peril, or otherwise incapacitated.[1] The protection is intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death. An example of such a law in common-law areas of Canada: a Good Samaritan doctrine is a legal principle that prevents a rescuer who has voluntarily helped a victim in distress from being successfully sued for wrongdoing. Its purpose is to keep people from being reluctant to help a stranger in need for fear of legal repercussions should they make some mistake in treatment.[2] By contrast, a duty to rescue law requires people to offer assistance and holds those who fail to do so liable.

During the beginning of this month, November, an off-duty Center Township Police Officer murdered a Good Samaritan, Kenneth Vineyard, outside of a Beaver County Walmart while Vineyard was offering aid to the victim of a gunshot. Kenneth seized upon falling unconscious from the police officer's direct and violent action, which caused Vineyard to crash into the paved parking lot without protection for his head. The police officer only CLEARLY AND DIRECTLY identified himself as such to Vineyard's fiance once the man was already in harm, and death's, way. 

Unfortunately, Kenneth and his family cannot even partake in utilizing the laws protecting Good Samaritans against prosecution or other forms of legal recourse -- Kenneth is dead. 

The victim of the gunshot did not die; however Mr. Vineyard lost his life at the hospital at the hands of an OFF DUTY COP -- Vineyard's fiance and others witnessed this abhorrent and violent crime against the Good Samaritan. As citizens of this township, we deserve to know which police officers are killing people, off-duty or not, and which officers have a history of violence and abuse of power. We deserve, as denizens of this space, to know who is policing our streets. Off-duty or not, this officer did not protect or serve anyone, but a man did lose his life for simply trying to be a kind and helpful human being. I cannot say the same for this off-duty officer. We deserve to know who killed Kenneth. 

Family demands justice for man they say was pushed, killed trying to help Beaver County shooting victim -- Off-duty police officer kills Good Samaritan trying to help Gun-Shot Victim:

MONACA, Pa. (KDKA) - One man is dead, and another is injured following a shooting outside the Monaca Walmart on Sunday. The man who died had stepped in to help the shooting victim. The family of that Good Samaritan is demanding justice because they say a local police officer caused his death.

Kenneth Vineyard, 48, rushed to the side of a perfect stranger while he lay bleeding on the ground. And for that selfless act, he paid with his life.

"This appears to be another instance of senseless police violence," said attorney Joel Sansone.

Sansone stood behind the podium Monday speaking for a man who cannot.

Kenneth Vineyard tragically died Sunday night for simply, as Sansone said, helping someone he had never met.

It was around 6:30 when gunfire erupted in the parking lot of the Monaca Walmart where police say Rashaun Smith, 20, was shot in the abdomen by Yeshua Bratcher.

"As the victim of that shooting lay bleeding, a Good Samaritan named Kenneth Vineyard rushed to the victim to render aid."

 

Once paramedics arrived, Sansone said Vineyard stepped away to allow them to do their job.

 
Then, a man in plain clothes, demanded Vineyard step away from the victim. The 48-year-old tried to explain to the unidentified man that he was simply trying to help and make his way to his fiancé who was nearby. 

"The unidentified man insisted Mr. Vineyard step away and violently pushed Mr. Vineyard to the ground where he struck his head on the pavement."

Vineyard's fiancé began chest compressions while first responders tended to him as he had no pulse. Vineyard was rushed to Beaver County Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

"I've come to learn that the unidentified individual who violently pushed Mr. Vineyard is a police officer employed by the Center Township Police Department," Sansone said. 

Sansone said there are many eye-witnesses, including Vineyard's fiancé, who saw the incident unfold. 

Witness Ryan Beatrice said he saw Vineyard on the ground. 

"He definitely wasn't moving," Beatrice said. "His one leg was bent, the other leg was flat. He was kind of breathing but it was sporadic. That's what caught my eye. I was trying to see if he was okay."  

Sansone also said video from the scene clearly shows the alleged violent shove by the officer.

"We want the name of the individual who caused this death and we intend to sue him and possibly others," said Sansone.

State police confirmed to KDKA they are investigating Vineyard's death. They say they plan to talk to the Center Township officer as early as Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, Center Township police are handling the shooting investigation.

On Monday, Yeshua Bratcher was charged with a total of nine charges, including criminal homicide. The off duty police officer who killed Mr. Vineyard was not charged after Mr. Vineyard died at the hospital.