Dates: July 18, 1969- January 29, 2022
The Tragedy:
Police Officer Donald Sahota was off duty when he was involved in a tragic incident. A Clark County Office deputy was attempting to apprehend a robbery suspect who was trying to break into Sahota’s home. The suspect had fled on foot from police after robbing a gas station. During the search for the suspect a woman called 911 reporting that a man matching the description was asking her to open the door to her home. She mentioned that her husband was an off-duty officer and had gone outside to detain the man. However, a struggle ensued which resulted in multiple stab wounds to Officer Sahota who then dropped his firearm.
Sahota then retrieved his firearm and began pursuing the suspect again who had begun running towards the house. At this same moment Clark County deputies arrived on scene. In the chaos and confusion one of the deputies mistook Officer Sahota as the armed suspect and shot him, unaware he was both an officer and the homeowner. Sahota died at the scene and is survived by his wife, two children, mother, brother and other family members.
More info:
behindthebadge : Officer Donald Sahota
The Service:
Officer Donald Sahota was honored by family, friends, and colleagues at Ilani Casino resort on February 8, 2022. A procession began the service and hundreds of law enforcement and members of the community gathered to remember Sahota. A horse with no rider led the procession as a symbol of a fallen soldier. Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain shared how Sahota’s death was the department’s first line-of-duty death since 1883 when the agency began.
Sahota’s daughter, Kylie DaCunha, spoke in his memory, “He was a protector through and through, for me and everyone else.”
“There are a lot of different types of friends in life: the fun friend, the listener, the wise one, the loyal one,” said Detective Shane Hall, a friend and coworker of Sahota. “Don was the one who made me want to be a better person.”
More info:
columbiannews : Community mourns, honors Officer Donald Sahota
The Justice:
Deputy Jonathan Feller was the officer who fatally shot Officer Donald Sahota while searching for suspect Julio Segura. A statewide panel was tasked with reviewing the incident, but they were unable to reach a consensus on the deputy’s use of force. This leaves the decision to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on whether or not Feller should face criminal charges.
A year later, in January 2023, it was announced that Deputy John Feller will not face criminal charges as his use of force was used in good faith.
Julio Segura is currently facing murder and attempted murder charges, along with several other charges. His trial is set for later in the year with Clark County Superior Court.
More info:
thecolumbian : prosecutors fail to reach consensus
kgwnews : Sahota won’t be criminally charged
Delivery:
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