Off-duty officer killed while trying to break up South Carolina bar fight

MURRELLS INLET, S.C. — Police say a Connecticut police officer has died from injuries he sustained while trying to break up a bar fight in South Carolina.

South Windsor Police say 41-year-old Matthew Mainieri was a 20-year veteran of the department. The Hartford Courant reports Mainieri was attempting to break up the fight when he sustained a fatal blow to the head.

[Bride, groom end up in cuffs after wedding turns into bar fight]

According to the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office, Todd sucker punched Sgt. Mainieri around 12:30 a.m. during an altercation outside Uncle Tito's in Murrells Inlet.

Mainieri was off-duty at the time and died Sunday from his injuries.

County sheriffs in South Carolina charged 21-year-old Kelton Jess Todd in the assault. He was taken to a local jail. It's unclear whether he's represented by an attorney who could comment.

Police are still investigating and may add further charges.

Over his two-decade career, Mainieri received his department's Medal of Valor, the Chief's Award and multiple certificates of commendation.

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Associated Press