Incident Review Board

This is a news release of the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
Please do not contact the Sheriff's Communications Center.

Date:  Thursday, April 30, 2009
Time:  4:57:42 PM
Department Contact: Daniel Leper

Details:

On 4/29/09, the Incident Review Board convened to consider the discharge of Deputy John Powell’s weapon. The discharge occurred during a struggle over the weapon with a suspect, Manuel Sanchez, on April 12, 2009.

The Incident Review Board consisted of Chief Deputy Willy Wahl, Chief Deputy RoseMary Wahl, Chief Christopher Speer, Commander Francis Moore, and Commander Dan Leper. 

After a review of all facts in this case, the Incident Review Board determined that the discharge of a weapon was within Sheriff’s Office policy.

Case number SR09-11058

Editors note: Powell had allegedly found Sanchez in a car with an underage girl in a remote part of the county. Powell tried to take the girl home and Sanchez attacked, according to previous reports. Powell fought him off and shot a Tazer at Sanchez, who escaped and was later arrested, according to previous reports.