SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – A former Springfield police sergeant has been charged with domestic violence following an incident at his home last week amid some shocking allegations, according to documents filed in Lane County Circuit Court.

Court records show that Richard Lewis has pleaded not guilty to charges of menacing and felony strangulation. Lewis – not to be confused with the former Springfield police chief Richard Lewis – was involved in an argument with his wife over a TV show Wednesday when she called 9-1-1, according to court records. Court documents say she said Lewis had consumed alcohol, broke down her bedroom door, and was playing with a knife while yelling at her to leave the bathroom she had locked herself in. The victim said he also retrieved a gun and told deputies this behavior wasn't new in their 30-year marriage, but had gotten significantly worse since his 2020 retirement from the police department. Lewis told deputies he was acting a bit theatric, but that he didn't assault her, according to court records. Court documents show that he also said he plays with a knife to relieve anxiety.

Lewis has more than 3400 hours of police training, including in de-escalation, but Lewis told deputies it was "different when you're off duty,” according to court records.

Court documents said that, the day after the incident, and following Lewis's arrest, the victim told investigators Lewis has also taken intimate photos of her while she was sleeping and shared them without her consent. Deputies then applied for a search warrant for his phone, according to court records.

Court documents show that Lewis is due back in court June 26.