FAIRVIEW OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING- UPDATE
News Release from Fairview Police Dept.
Posted on FlashAlert: December 5th, 2013 12:24 PM
At approximately 3 am on December 3, 2013, Fairview Police Officer Gerkman was dispatched to a welfare check at 22719 NE Halsey, Apartment #104, in the City of Fairview. Two Multnomah County Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to assist- Deputy Reed and Deputy Baird. Responding officers were asked to check on a male subject that was acting strangely. It was not known if the subject was suffering from mental health issues or the behavior was drug induced.
Officer Gerkman and the deputies were allowed entrance into the apartment where they make contact with Tyler Brown. Brown is a resident of Federal Way, Washington.
While the officers were trying to assess the situation, Brown rapidly entered a small kitchen. Before officers could stop him, Brown grabbed a large kitchen knife. Officer Gerkman drew his duty weapon and ordered Brown to drop the knife. At this time there was very little distance between Brown and Officer Gerkman due to the confined space of the small kitchen. Suddenly, Brown lunged at Officer Gerkman while still holding the knife in a threatening manner. Officer Gerkman fired three rounds, striking Brown.
After being shot, Brown struggled with officers as they attempted to render medical aid. Brown was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition.
This is the second officer involved shooting in the City of Fairview in the past month, involving Officer Gerkman.
On November 11, 2013, Officer Gerkman attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations and operating with stolen license plates. The suspect driver fled resulting in a police pursuit. The suspect vehicle turned down a dead end road. The suspect turned his car so it was facing Officer Gerkman then stopped. Officer Gerkman believed the driver was surrendering. Officer Gerkman exited his patrol car and challenged the driver. Instead, the suspect driver rapidly accelerated and drove the Chrysler 300 directly at Officer Gerkman. Officer Gerkman believed he was going to be struck and killed by the rapidly accelerating vehicle. Officer Gerkman did not have time to move out of harm's way so he fired one round at the suspect vehicle, which was now just a few feet from Officer Gerkman. After the shot was fired, the suspect swerved and barely missed Officer Gerkman. Officer Gerkman got back into his patrol vehicle, radioed this situation and continued the pursuit.
The suspect, while traveling at a high rate of speed, ultimately struck a Multnomah County Sheriff patrol car at the intersection of 223rd and Sandy, injuring the Deputy and a passenger in the suspect vehicle.
An examination of the suspect vehicle later found that Officer German's round struck the hood of the suspect vehicle and bounced off the windshield.
Officer Gerkman was placed on Administrative Leave following the November 11, 2013 incident. A Grand Jury found that the suspect had unlawfully used the Chrysler 300 as a weapon against Officer Gerkman. Subsequently, Chief Johnson reviewed the circumstances and determined that Officer Gerkman was within Fairview Police Department policy and the use of force was justified. Officer Gerkman was returned to duty.
Officer Gerkman was hired by the Fairview Police Department on February 1, 2012. Officer Gerkman has also served as a Reserve Police Officer for the City of Fairview and a Cadet for the Gresham Police Department.
Officer Gerkman will remain on Administrative Leave pending Grand Jury and a Fairview Police Department Use of Force Review Board.
It is now time to let the investigators complete their work and for the Grand Jury to hear the case. To protect the integrity of the investigation and Grand Jury process, we will not be able to provide further details. I ask for the media's understanding and patience as we allow the process to move forward so that all of the facts can be determined without pre-judgment or bias.
The East County Major Crimes Team continues to investigate the December 3, 2013 incident. The Major Crimes Team is an interagency team of investigators from several agencies: Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale, Multnomah County Sheriff's Department, Portland Police Bureau, Oregon State Police and the Multnomah County DA.
Officer Gerkman and the deputies were allowed entrance into the apartment where they make contact with Tyler Brown. Brown is a resident of Federal Way, Washington.
While the officers were trying to assess the situation, Brown rapidly entered a small kitchen. Before officers could stop him, Brown grabbed a large kitchen knife. Officer Gerkman drew his duty weapon and ordered Brown to drop the knife. At this time there was very little distance between Brown and Officer Gerkman due to the confined space of the small kitchen. Suddenly, Brown lunged at Officer Gerkman while still holding the knife in a threatening manner. Officer Gerkman fired three rounds, striking Brown.
After being shot, Brown struggled with officers as they attempted to render medical aid. Brown was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition.
This is the second officer involved shooting in the City of Fairview in the past month, involving Officer Gerkman.
On November 11, 2013, Officer Gerkman attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations and operating with stolen license plates. The suspect driver fled resulting in a police pursuit. The suspect vehicle turned down a dead end road. The suspect turned his car so it was facing Officer Gerkman then stopped. Officer Gerkman believed the driver was surrendering. Officer Gerkman exited his patrol car and challenged the driver. Instead, the suspect driver rapidly accelerated and drove the Chrysler 300 directly at Officer Gerkman. Officer Gerkman believed he was going to be struck and killed by the rapidly accelerating vehicle. Officer Gerkman did not have time to move out of harm's way so he fired one round at the suspect vehicle, which was now just a few feet from Officer Gerkman. After the shot was fired, the suspect swerved and barely missed Officer Gerkman. Officer Gerkman got back into his patrol vehicle, radioed this situation and continued the pursuit.
The suspect, while traveling at a high rate of speed, ultimately struck a Multnomah County Sheriff patrol car at the intersection of 223rd and Sandy, injuring the Deputy and a passenger in the suspect vehicle.
An examination of the suspect vehicle later found that Officer German's round struck the hood of the suspect vehicle and bounced off the windshield.
Officer Gerkman was placed on Administrative Leave following the November 11, 2013 incident. A Grand Jury found that the suspect had unlawfully used the Chrysler 300 as a weapon against Officer Gerkman. Subsequently, Chief Johnson reviewed the circumstances and determined that Officer Gerkman was within Fairview Police Department policy and the use of force was justified. Officer Gerkman was returned to duty.
Officer Gerkman was hired by the Fairview Police Department on February 1, 2012. Officer Gerkman has also served as a Reserve Police Officer for the City of Fairview and a Cadet for the Gresham Police Department.
Officer Gerkman will remain on Administrative Leave pending Grand Jury and a Fairview Police Department Use of Force Review Board.
It is now time to let the investigators complete their work and for the Grand Jury to hear the case. To protect the integrity of the investigation and Grand Jury process, we will not be able to provide further details. I ask for the media's understanding and patience as we allow the process to move forward so that all of the facts can be determined without pre-judgment or bias.
The East County Major Crimes Team continues to investigate the December 3, 2013 incident. The Major Crimes Team is an interagency team of investigators from several agencies: Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale, Multnomah County Sheriff's Department, Portland Police Bureau, Oregon State Police and the Multnomah County DA.
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