Josephine Co. Sheriff's Office

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News Release

Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) - 04/15/21

CASE NUMBER:  21000568

INCIDENT DATE AND TIME:  March 25th, 2021 @ 12:06am

REPORTING DEPUTY:  Sheriff Dave Daniel

DETAILS:

On March 24, 2021, there was a Josephine County Major Crime Team callout that included members of the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.  The callout was related to a burnt vehicle with suspected bodies in it located at the end of a “logging road.” The area is several miles off of Lakeshore Drive. Because of the nature of the location, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office facilitated the use of a side-by-side and all-terrain vehicles for investigators to reach the location.  A “staging area” was set up down the logging road at a fork on McMullen Creek Road. One fork led to the scene and the other fork goes further up McMullen Creek before connecting with Kerby Mainline Road.

Just after midnight (approximately 12:06am), on March 25, 2021, members of the Sheriff’s Office and members of OSP were finalizing the plan for returning/continuing investigation logistics in the morning.

From the “right” fork of McMullen Creek, they heard a car approaching and the officers could see headlights. There were two vehicles—one appeared to be an SUV and the other was a small truck. The Sheriff’s Office truck and trailer that was transporting the all-terrain vehicles was blocking the road at/near the fork. The Officers witnessed the truck move in front of the SUV as the vehicles approached the staging area.  As the vehicles approached, because of the area, the hour, and the outstanding double homicide suspect(s), the officers attempted to contact the drivers.

As the vehicles slowed, Lt. Jim Geiger, who was wearing traditional Sheriff’s Office uniform attempted to contact the truck. Other law enforcement also contacted the truck, announced who they were and repeatedly gave commands such as “Police”, “show us your hands”, and “Sheriff’s Office”.

Rather than stopping, the driver of the truck slowly moved forward then “ground” the truck into reverse and when rapidly backing up, struck the SUV behind it in an attempt to flee.  This movement of the truck and position of Lt. Geiger placed him in imminent threat of serious physical injury or death.  As a result, Lt. Geiger discharged his service pistol 5 times before diving into a roadside ditch to avoid being run over.  The truck then fled the area, and has not been located. 

Due to the ongoing nature of this incident/investigation further details cannot be provided by the District Attorney’s Office.  This OIS was investigated by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and scene reconstruction conducted by the Oregon State Police. 

This investigation has been reviewed by the Josephine County District Attorney who has cleared Lt. Geiger of any wrongdoing.  Lt. Geiger has been taken off “administrative leave” and is cleared for active duty.

No further details of this incident are being released at this time.

Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) - 04/15/21

CASE NUMBER:  21000568

INCIDENT DATE AND TIME:  March 25th, 2021 @ 12:06am

REPORTING DEPUTY:  Sheriff Dave Daniel

DETAILS:

On March 24, 2021, there was a Josephine County Major Crime Team callout that included members of the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.  The callout was related to a burnt vehicle with suspected bodies in it located at the end of a “logging road.” The area is several miles off of Lakeshore Drive. Because of the nature of the location, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office facilitated the use of a side-by-side and all-terrain vehicles for investigators to reach the location.  A “staging area” was set up down the logging road at a fork on McMullen Creek Road. One fork led to the scene and the other fork goes further up McMullen Creek before connecting with Kerby Mainline Road.

Just after midnight (approximately 12:06am), on March 25, 2021, members of the Sheriff’s Office and members of OSP were finalizing the plan for returning/continuing investigation logistics in the morning.

From the “right” fork of McMullen Creek, they heard a car approaching and the officers could see headlights. There were two vehicles—one appeared to be an SUV and the other was a small truck. The Sheriff’s Office truck and trailer that was transporting the all-terrain vehicles was blocking the road at/near the fork. The Officers witnessed the truck move in front of the SUV as the vehicles approached the staging area.  As the vehicles approached, because of the area, the hour, and the outstanding double homicide suspect(s), the officers attempted to contact the drivers.

As the vehicles slowed, Lt. Jim Geiger, who was wearing traditional Sheriff’s Office uniform attempted to contact the truck. Other law enforcement also contacted the truck, announced who they were and repeatedly gave commands such as “Police”, “show us your hands”, and “Sheriff’s Office”.

Rather than stopping, the driver of the truck slowly moved forward then “ground” the truck into reverse and when rapidly backing up, struck the SUV behind it in an attempt to flee.  This movement of the truck and position of Lt. Geiger placed him in imminent threat of serious physical injury or death.  As a result, Lt. Geiger discharged his service pistol 5 times before diving into a roadside ditch to avoid being run over.  The truck then fled the area, and has not been located. 

Due to the ongoing nature of this incident/investigation further details cannot be provided by the District Attorney’s Office.  This OIS was investigated by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and scene reconstruction conducted by the Oregon State Police. 

This investigation has been reviewed by the Josephine County District Attorney who has cleared Lt. Geiger of any wrongdoing.  Lt. Geiger has been taken off “administrative leave” and is cleared for active duty.

No further details of this incident are being released at this time.