In Tulelake, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department has taken over…while the two person police department is under investigation by the F.B.I., and on leave…
An arrest back in February may have sparked that investigation.
It was a crazy scene at this intersection on February 3rd, Superbowl Sunday….
Former Tulelake Mayor John Crowell spoke on behalf of an alleged witness…
“One of the guys that was on the chief of police’s back, and hollering at him that he was going to kill him and that type of thing.”
A person who claims to have witnessed the fight which has led to an apparent investigation of excessive force…told the former Tulelake Mayor that the police were trying to break up a fight involving four men…
“And then, from what I understand, the guy took off running.” Repeated Crowell. “And when he took off to run, then the chief then hit him with that taser in his leg.”
The witness fears for their safety, and did not want to appear on camera.
While no charges have been filed, the chief’s ex-wife Leah Ross notes the investigation has been the focus of plenty of speculation in Tulelake…
“It really has. I just, I can’t believe the reaction of people I thought were my friends. And it’s been pretty difficult for our family to get through it.”
Police Chief Tony Ross and Officer Misty Stradley were placed on leave when the investigation began June 26th.
Until the investigation is completed, law enforcement operations in Tulelake will be conducted by the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office.
The alleged witness took some video of the arrested incident…that video has been given to the authorities to assist in their investigation.
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