Superior police officer pleads guilty to disorderly conduct

A veteran Superior police officer accused of punching his girlfriend will avoid further jail time if he follows the conditions of a plea agreement approved Monday in Carlton County District Court.

Daniel Ellis Hawkin II, 44, pleaded guilty to a new misdemeanor count of

disorderly conduct. In exchange, District Court Judge Robert E. Macaulay dismissed the original charge of domestic assault, also a misdemeanor, against Hawkin.

Macaulay sentenced Hawkin to 90 days in jail but stayed the sentence for one year provided Hawkin completes chemical and anger management assessments, follows the recommendations of the evaluations, makes all future court appearances and an Oct. 13 review to determine whether he has completed the recommendations and commits no similar offenses.

Hawkin also must pay $385 in fines and fees. Macaulay gave Hawkin credit for four days already spent in jail.

Superior Police Chief Floyd Peters placed Hawkin on leave after he was charged.

“Sgt. Hawkin remains on paid administrative leave at this time,” Assistant Chief of Police Charles F. LaGesse said Monday afternoon in a prepared statement. “We will review all available information on this incident and will determine any disciplinary measures to be applied.”

Hawkin, who has been a member of the Superior Police Department for 19 years and is a member of the force’s tactical response team, was charged with domestic abuse on Jan. 25 after he allegedly punched his girlfriend three times — including twice in the face — after an argument that started at the Black Bear Casino on Jan. 23. The woman suffered a split lip and swelling, a Duluth police officer said.

Hawkin allegedly drove away after his girlfriend got out of his vehicle along Interstate 35. The woman flagged down another driver and was taken to a friend’s house in Duluth, where she reported the incident to law enforcement, the criminal complaint said. The temperature at the Cloquet airport around that time was 13 below zero, according to the National Weather Service.

“To me, the domestic-type cases are driven by what the victim wants,” Assistant Carlton County Attorney James Ross said after Monday’s plea agreement was accepted. “This victim was real cooperative. She didn’t want to drag him into a trial; wanted to resolve the matter. It appeared to be an isolated incident. She indicated they had been drinking. With the chemical and anger management assessment we may never see him again. That is what we are hoping for.”

Hawkin’s attorney, Robert Fowler, declined comment.

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