Deputy cleared of wrongdoing in death of David Giles

The Bonneville County prosecuting attorney’s office announced Thursday that Captain John Wolfe of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office has been cleared of any wrongdoingduring an officer-involved shooting.

The announcement came after an investigation was conducted by the Idaho State Police with support from the Idaho Falls Police Department and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Clark notes that this investigation was to see if there was any kind of negligence on the part of the Captain Wolfe.

“It is apparent that Captain Wolfe was treating Mr. Giles as one suffering from a mental illness, not as a criminal and thus the decision to allow Mr. Giles to ride in the front passenger seat may have precipitated the events ultimately leading to Mr. Giles’s death, I do not find Captain Wolfe’s conduct to be negligent or the cause of Mr. Giles’s death,” said Clark in the press release.

Below is an account of what happened that day. Be aware that the content is violent in nature. We have also attached the full press release.

According to the press release Captain Wolfe had responded to a disturbance involving David Giles, who had either dementia or Alzheimer. Giles was agitated and had left his vehicle while his wife and others were trying to transport him to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for testing and treatment. Wolfe offered to assist with the transport first by following the vehicles but later at the request of Giles’ wife allowed Giles to ride in his police vehicle.

When the group arrived at the hospital Giles again became combative and belligerent. At this point as they attempted to escort him to the hospital Giles began to attack Wolfe and first attempting to strangle him. As Wolfe push Giles away towards the passenger seat of the vehicle Giles attempted to grab Wolfe’s duty shotgun. Wolfe at this point sprayed Giles with pepper spray in an effort to stop him.

Giles was able to free the gun for its locking mechanism and then pointed the weapon at Wolfe and a round was loaded into the gun. Wolfe grabbed the gun to push it away and at this point Giles began to turn the gun towards himself. The two fought for control of the gun and at some point Giles, who had his finger on the trigger, fired the weapon. Giles was struck by the shot in the chest. Giles was rushed into the hospital but efforts to save his life failed.

The prosecutor’s office notes that Giles was not guilty of any criminal activity. The actions he took were clearly the result of an altered mind.