Deputy involved shooting 01.30.19

In the last two weeks through Intelligence Led Policing we have identified a ring of people committing burglars in the county.  A deputy left the squad room to observe a location where these individuals have been living or seen at.  While observing the location a white Ford 250 truck, which has been seen at the location before came into the area.  The deputy observed the driver of the vehicle commit a traffic violation. 

At around 11:22 pm, a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation near the intersection of Hydraulic and Scott.  The vehicle did not stop, and the deputy advised he was in pursuit of the vehicle.    

At 11:31:14, the suspect vehicle ran over a tire deflation device at the intersection of Hydraulic and Clark.  The tire deflation device was deployed by an officer of the Wichita Police Department. 

At 11:32:59, a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Deputy (Deputy #2) performed a TVI (Tactical Vehicle Intervention), tactic in an attempt to end the pursuit.  The TVI brought the pursuit to a stop; the suspect refused to stop and continued to flee. 

At 11:33.34, Deputy #2 performed a second TVI tactic to stop the suspect vehicle.  The TVI brought the pursuit to a stop a second time; the suspect refused to stop and continued to flee.  

At 11:33.48, the suspect vehicle drove towards Deputy #2, who was on foot.  

At 11:34.05, another Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Deputy (Deputy #3) performed a TVI tactic to stop the vehicle.  The vehicle was stopped and Deputy #3 positioned his patrol vehicle directly in front of the suspect’s vehicle.  The suspect vehicle proceeded to reverse direction and crashed into Deputy #4’s occupied patrol vehicle that had taken a position behind him.   After the suspect vehicle crashed into Deputy #4’s patrol vehicle, it continued to attempt to flee.  

At 11:34:28 Deputy #3 advised he had shot at the suspect.  After the suspect was shot, he was taken into custody.  The driver was found to be wounded and was transported to a local hospital. 

Illicit drugs were a factor in this pursuit based upon evidence gathered at the scene. 

Events of this nature escalate quickly.  From the time Deputy #1 attempted the traffic stop until the pursuit ended was 12 minutes.  From the time the Deputy #3 performed the TVI to the time shots were fired was less than 30 seconds. 

The KBI, Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, and the Professional Standards Unit of the Sheriff’s Office were all notified.  The KBI is assisting with the case. 

No injuries were reported by any of the deputies involved.  The deputy who fired the shots is 43 years old and has been a patrol deputy with the sheriff’s office for 10 ½ years.  He has a total of 19 years of law enforcement experience. 

The driver of the vehicle was identified at Jeremy E. Sanford, a white male, age 35, of Wichita, Kansas.  He was booked on the following charges:

1. Driving While Suspended
2. Aggravated Battery LEO intent with motor vehicle
3. Aggravated Battery LEO
4. Reckless Driving
5. Flee and Elude
6. Warrant for Fail to Appear X3

It is unfortunate anytime someone is injured or killed in a use of force event.  Whenever an incident such as this occurs we conduct a thorough investigation to determine if there were any violations of law or our policy.

 

Upon the completion of the criminal investigation, the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for review.