Sheriff's deputies ruled justified in deadly shooting last October

Sheriff's deputies ruled justified in deadly shooting last October

by KREM.com

KREM.com

Posted on August 29, 2011 at 1:23 PM

SPOKANE -- Spokane Police Major Crimes detectives received a letter from Spokane County Prosecutors Office Monday, stating Deputy Olson was justified in his use of deadly force in the October shooting of Quentin Dodd.

On October 24, 2010, around 7:35 p.m. the owner of the clean and sober house on N. Sommer that Dodd was living in called 911. The owner reported that Dodd had cut himself after an argument with other tenants. Dodd left the house carrying an 8-inch-long “Indian arrow” type object.

According to officials, five minutes later, Deputy Rustin Olson approached the area from Sullivan, while Deputy Todd Miller approached from Progress. Both officers observed the object in Dodd’s hand.

Authorities say Dodd ran at Deputy Olson, and Olson drew his weapon and retreated. When Dodd got to within 7 or 8 feet, Olson fired three shots at Dodd’s chest. Dodd dropped to the ground, rolled over and the knife fell out of his hand.

The autopsy showed Dodd died from the gunshot wounds; toxicology reports showed positive for amphetamines.

After reviewing the case, Jack Driscoll with the Spokane County Prosecutors Office concluded that Dodd was armed with what appeared to be a deadly weapon and disregarded numerous requests to drop the weapon from both Deputy Miller and Deputy Olson, who was retreating when he fired as Dodd closed in on him.