Officer injured in making arrest
By Terry Murry on Thursday, December 21st, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – A Hermiston Police Department corporal sustained leg injuries that required emergency-room treatment at Good Shepherd Medical Center late this morning while attempting to arrest a Hermiston-area transient on outstanding warrants.
Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston said that the officer was inside a commercial establishment from which Leobardo Covarrubias, 22, had previously been trespassed. In addition, Covarrubias had nine warrants for his arrest and was on probation.
Edmiston said that Covarrubias is well known to area law enforcement. He has been arrested 18 times with 31 charges. Now, in addition to the warrants and parole violation, he faces charges of resisting arrest and first-degree criminal trespass.
“Every officer in this profession knows there are risks, but every officer also expects society to hold remorseless, carefree criminals accountable,” Edmiston wrote. “While I will not be holding my breath the system will make that happen anytime soon, I am grateful our officer with seven years in this game received only minor injuries. While the timing is not great for our department with staffing shortages, the men and women who wear the uniform will continue to trek forward.”
