Crime & Safety

Police Chief Releases Statement, Names Officers Involved in Friday Shooting

Jeffery Michael O'Connor was shot and killed by Richfield Police Friday morning.

After a 25-year-old Richfield man was shot and killed by police Friday, Richfield Police Chief Todd Sandell released the following statement during a press conference Monday afternoon:

On October 5, 2012 at 8:53 a.m., Richfield Police officers responded to a domestic disturbance involving a man with a knife at a house in the 6600 block of Park Avenue.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers encountered an adult male, later identified as Jeffrey Michael O'Connor. During this encounter, O'Connor was shot by police. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured during the encounter.

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The officers involved in this incident are as follows:

  • Sergeant Mark Shelley, a 20 year veteran of the Richfield Police Department.
  • Officer Tom Blair, a 23 year veteran of the Richfield Police Department.
  • Officer Brian Rogge, a 16 year veteran of the Richfield Police Department.

All three officers have been placed on paid administrative leave which is standard procedure following his type of incident.

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Although the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office will continue with their investigation of this incident; I am confident that this investigation will determine that our officeres acted in accordance with department police and procedure and it will be determined that this was a justified use of force. All of these officers are professional, well trained veterans of this department.

Nevertheless, this was a tragic event for all involved. The Richfield Police Department expresses our deepest sympathy to the family of Jeffery Michael O'Connor for their loss; and to our officers involved in this incident our support, thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families.

This is an active, on-going investigation and no further information is available at this time. Any questions concerning the investigation should be directed to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

Sandell would not answer any questions from the media, as he said he was not allowed to say any more than what his statement detailed.

Richfield Patch will continue to update readers as more information becomes available.

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Other related articles:

  • Officer-Involved Shooting in Richfield; Police Investigating
  • UPDATED: Richfield Officer Shoots and Kills Man in Friday Incident
  • UPDATE: Authorities Release Name of Man Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting

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