RUMFORD – Mexico police officer Michael J. Richard went to his estranged wife’s home in Rumford while on duty last summer, choked her, held her down and threatened to blow her head off as he grabbed his holstered revolver, according to the arrest report.

The Sun Journal obtained a copy of the Rumford Police Department report dated July 19, 2006, through a Maine Freedom of Access Act request. The public document details the incident that resulted in the criminal threatening conviction against Richard, 57, of Rumford.

His 34-year law enforcement career with Rumford and Mexico ended last week when the state revoked his certification as a result of the conviction. And the couple have reconciled, his attorney said.

According to the arrest report, “On or about June 20, 2006,” Rumford police were notified by Richard’s then-estranged wife that he “grabbed her by the throat and began choking her.” She told police she faked passing out to fool him so he would stop choking her.

She also reported that Richard was screaming obscenities at her during the attack.

Rumford police learned of the attack when officers went to her home on July 19 to answer a civil complaint that he had taken items from there, including furniture, the report stated. While police were there, she described the choking incident.

At about 10 a.m. on the day of the incident, “Michael Richard came to the residence while on duty for the Mexico Police Department. Reportedly, Michael Richard was in his police uniform at the time,” the report stated.

Richard confronted his estranged wife she was doing housework and “grabbed her around the throat . . . hard enough that she was having difficulty breathing.” After she faked a fainting spell, Richard “dragged her to the kitchen area and threw her into a chair. Reportedly, Michael had one hand on her throat and one hand on his gun.”

While holding her down and with his hand on his gun, she told police Richard threatened to “blow your head off” while attempting to pull his gun out of his holster. He was not able to unholster the gun because of a safety mechanism, the report said.

“She did not feel Michael would have pulled the trigger, but if he had been able to get the gun out, he would have put the gun to her head,” the report said.

She told Richard she was going to call police, and he then left the house.

She also reported to police that in the month after the incident, Richard had been constantly stalking her. “She described this to Officer (Paul) Casey by saying he is calling all (the) time and not saying anything and always driving by the residence and her work place and parking near the residence so as to watch her movements.”

As police investigated, they learned the attack actually happened June 21 and that she said it was the first time Richard had threatened her.

The arrest report also contains information from Richard’s fellow officers that he had asked to borrow their private cars so he could check on the activities of his estranged wife. In one case, a car was offered. In another, the officer declined Richard’s request because he was uncomfortable doing so.

– Judith Meyer