Local law enforcement community reacts to killing of Ada County Deputy
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
NORTHEAST OREGON — Sheriff’s offices in northeast Oregon are expressing grief and support to one of their own, after an Idaho deputy was killed in the line of duty.
Ada County Sheriff’s Deputy Tobin Bolter was shot and killed in an incident on Saturday, April 20 which led to a Boise Police Officer shooting and killing the suspect later that night.
According to a press release, the incident began shortly before 9:00pm when Deputy Bolter was shot by a suspect after making a traffic stop near West Overland Road and South Raymond Street in Boise. A citizen witnessed the shooting, called 911, and performed CPR until the deputy could be transported to Saint Alphonsus in Boise where he later died.
Then, around 9:30 p.m. Boise Police Officers located the suspect near a residence on South Jackson Street. Neighbors in the area were warned to stay away while BPD Special Operations Unit members attempted to take the suspect into custody.
Shortly after midnight, the suspect fired a weapon at officers leading a BPD officer to fire back, striking him. The suspect was given medical aid and transported by ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The suspect in the incident has not been named but a press release shows the 65-year-old male suspect had a misdemeanor warrant.
The 27-year-old Bolter was the first Ada County Sheriff’s deputy to be killed in the line of duty.
Since Saturday, there’s been an outpouring of support from law enforcement agencies across the region, including Northeast Oregon.
Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen tells Elkhorn Media Group, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Bolter’s family and friends along with our law enforcement family in Ada County and the many others affected by this horrible tragedy.”
Bowen says he and deputies from Union County plan on attending Deputy Bolter’s funeral and procession.
In a Facebook post, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office said, “With incredible sorrow, we learned of the passing of Ada County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tobin Bolter this morning. Deputy Bolter was shot during a traffic stop and is the first line-of-duty death within the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. Whether it be within another agency or across state lines, we are one family. Ada County Sheriff’s Office, we stand with you.”
The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, “Rest in Peace, Deputy Bolter. Please keep his family in your prayers.”
Deputy Bolter was an officer for seven years and had been with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office since January after serving with the Meridian Police Department and Pleasant Hill (CA) Police Department.
