Veteran with PTSD shot by police, refused to get help

Madera police identify man shot and killed: Had PTSD, left officers no options, chief says

The Fresno Bee
By Jim Guy
February 08, 2019

The chief said Novak refused to get treatment from the Veterans Administration hospital. Neighbors and friends urged Novak to get help, to no avail.

A Madera man shot and killed by police Thursday night was a U.S. Navy veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder who left an officer no option when he advanced with a knife, Chief Dino Lawson said Friday afternoon.

He was identified as Michael Robert Novak, 59.

“It’s very sad, on so many levels,” Lawson said.

The incident took place about 10:15 p.m. on the Cleveland Avenue exit from northbound Highway 99. 

A police spokesman described the chain of events: The driver of another vehicle was involved in a possible DUI collision with Novak. 

When a police officer arrived and tried to contact Novak, he refused to get out of his car. 

Then, Novak pulled out a large knife, became aggressive and refused orders to drop the weapon before getting out and charging the officer. 

The officer retreated, again commanded Novak to drop the knife and fired several rounds when Novak continued to advance. 

Novak died from gunshot wounds at the scene.
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