Trooper out four weeks after finger bitten in altercation

By Tom Peterson

A local Oregon State Police Trooper is on medical leave after he lost a chunk of his finger during the apprehension of a man throwing cinder blocks on Interstate 84 west of The Dalles on Saturday, Oct. 9

Trooper Jacob Ferrer was responding to a call of a man throwing fist-size rocks and cinder blocks into the westbound roadway at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

A white Subaru had struck one of the rocks which resulted in damage to the front passenger side tire, according to the OSP log. 

OSP Capt. Les Kipper said that Ferrer attempted to get Isaac Octavio Sosa, 20, of Hood River to respond to his commands without effect. 

When Ferrer attempted to arrest Sosa, the two men wrestled and during the altercation, Sosa bit off a chunk out of Ferrer’s finger and gouged his face, Kipper said. 

It was suspected that Sosa was under the influence and was in what appeared to be an altered mental state, Kipper said. 

A passing motorist stopped to assist and helped Ferrer take control of Sosa, Kipper said. 

But the damage was done. 

Ferrer received emergency medical care at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital for his injuries. 

Kipper said doctors were still contemplating whether Ferrer will need surgery to repair the injury, and he will need four weeks to heal.

Sosa was jailed at NORCOR on charges of assault to a public safety officer, second-degree disorderly conduct, second-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

NORCOR also shows that Sosa faces charged of driving under the influence of alcohol and unlawful possession of methamphetamine.