The first deployment of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office’s Sentinel – an Armored Rescue Vehicle that was delivered in February – resulted Sunday in the peaceful surrender of an assault suspect after a two-hour standoff that included deputies, officers with the Sequim and Port Angeles police departments, and Crisis Response Teams for Clallam and Jefferson counties.
According to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, the armored vehicle was instrumental in bringing about a peaceful surrender.
The incident began at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday when Sgt. Steffen Estep and Deputy Tyler Leisten were dispatched to the 100 block of Slab Camp Road in Sequim after a call was received about a screaming woman. Upon arrival, they found the woman and discovered a green Ford SUV in some weeds with its rear window broken out. The woman told the officers that she had been assaulted while driving by her boyfriend, Caden Jackson.
According to a press release issued by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson had just been dropped off near a church on Carlsborg Road, near the home of friends of his who live on Village Lane. The woman advised the officers that Jackson was in possession of a large, long-bladed knife.
Probable cause was established that Jackson had committed second-degree assault-domestic violence, felony harassment-domestic violence and interference with the reporting of domestic violence. It was also discovered that he had outstanding felony warrants.
Sequim police officers and sheriff’s deputies responded to Carlsborg Road and searched the area in an attempt to locate Jackson. He was seen approaching a residence on Village Lane and a blue Ford Mustang was also seen arriving at the residence. After staying a very short time, the Mustang left the area.
Clallam County deputies, as well as officers with the Sequim and Port Angeles police departments, contacted the property owner on Village Lane who met with them and said that she had video footage of a male fitting Jackson’s description running through the yard. The owner told deputies she observed the male get into the trunk of the Mustang and that she had video of the car driving way.
Deputies were able to obtain the plate number of the Mustang and confirm the Applegate Lane address of its registered owner.
The officers quickly devised and executed a containment plan for the RV residence on Applegate Lane. Deputies received confirmation that Jackson was inside the RV, but Jackson did not respond to them. A search warrant was obtained to enter the RV and arrest Jackson and the scene was secured by law enforcement from all three agencies
Clallam County Sheriff’s Office negotiator Deputy Esther McKellar was on scene and established verbal contact with Jackson, who informed her that he had a crossbow and would shoot anyone who entered the RV.
While McKellar continued to talk to Jackson and encouraged him to exit the RV, the Clallam County and Jefferson County Crisis Response Teams (CRT) were activated.
CRT members arrived and additional armor protection was brought to the scene that included the International Armored Group (IAG) Sentinel. The armored vehicle increases options available to law enforcement in such scenarios.
McKellar and Estep were credited by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office with convincing Jackson to surrender shortly after the arrival of the Crisis Response Teams. He exited the RV with his hands up and was taken into custody without incident.
Jackson was booked into the Clallam County Correctional Facility with bond set at $30,000 for the charges detailed above as well as eluding a police vehicle and reckless endangerment.
Photo courtesy of Clallam County Sheriff’s Office| Negotiator Esther McKellar, a deputy with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, was credited for her role in bringing about the peaceful surrender of assault suspect Caden Jackson on Sunday after a two-hour standoff.
