Police shoot driver of boom truck; Man dies at hospital from wounds; investigation begins

Image of damaged TD Police car at 2914 W. Sixth Street The Dalles following an officer-involved shooting. Photo courtesy The Dalles Police Department

From The Dalles Police Department:

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 1:41 a.m., deputies with the Wasco County Sheriff’s Department (WCSO) observed a large tow truck or commercial boom truck dragging a cable and noted that the driver was behaving suspiciously in the Home Depot parking lot in The Dalles.

The Deputies attempted to stop the driver of the tow truck and the truck sped off east on west 6th Street in The Dalles. The Deputies reported aggressive driving from the tow truck driver who attempted to ram the deputies’ patrol vehicles. Officers from The Dalles Police Department (TDPD) were in the area and quickly assisted the Deputies in the incident.

City officers also noted the driver of the suspect vehicle was attempting to use the truck to ram police cars. In the area of the 2900 block of West 6th (Astro gas station) a TD police car was rammed, heavily damaged and pushed up onto an embankment.

Officers and WCSO deputies fired on the driver while the driver directed the truck at officers and failed to yield or follow directions.

Two Deputies and one City Officer fired their issued police firearms.

The suspect was struck by police gunfire. The injured suspect was provided immediate first aid at the scene and first responders from Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue responded to give aid as well. The suspect was transported to Adventist Health Hospital in The Dalles.

The suspect died of his wounds at the hospital.

A multi-agency investigation response is underway. Agencies include the Wasco County Sheriff’s Department, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Department, the Hood River City Police Department, The Dalles Police Department, and the Oregon State Police.

Additional assistance is being provided by The Dalles Public Works Department. The Wasco County District Attorney has been briefed by the lead detective.

At 3:05 a.m., a report was received by The Dalles Police of a break-in and theft from a business on Crates Way in The Dalles. The involved tow truck was reported to be stolen and a gate was rammed when the truck was stolen from the business. That case is the subject of a separate investigation by The Dalles Police.

No police officers were physically injured in this incident and no continuing threat to the public is known to exist.

Senate Bill 111 Deadly Physical Force Response Plan has been initiated and is being carefully followed. SB111 dictates Oregon Law Enforcement’s response and obligations in incidents of deadly force by law enforcement officers.

(The Bill establishes procedures for law enforcement agencies to follow in dealing with the use of deadly physical force and for grand jury proceedings in which the use of deadly physical force is an element.)

information including the involved officer’s and the name of the deceased suspect will be released when the investigation permits.