07-07-2015, 10:59 PM
News Release from Oregon State Police - Statewide
Posted on FlashAlert: July 7th, 2015 1:08 PM
The Josephine County District Attorney's Office announced Monday that the two troopers involved in an officer involved shooting on May 29, 2015 were justified in their use of deadly physical force.
The following is information from the Josephine District Attorney's Office press release,
"Ryan Mulkins, the Josephine County District Attorney, announced today that he had concluded his review of the officer-involved shooting which occurred in the late night hours of May 29, 2015 at 108 Fir Canyon Road, Grants Pass and resulted in the death of Robert Box (DOB: 6/27/1959).
A full investigation of the incident was conducted by the Josephine County Major Crime Response Team, an interagency team comprised of detectives and personnel from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab assisted in the scene investigation and forensic analysis.
At approximately 10:21 PM on Friday, May 29, 2015, Kelsey Box, the adult daughter of Robert Box called 911 to report she had been assaulted by Robert Box at their home located 108 Fir Canyon Road, Grants Pass. Kelsey Box requested law enforcement response. Kelsey reported to the Oregon State Police Dispatch that she and her father engaged in an argument. Kelsey reported that her father had knocked her out of her wheel chair to the ground, choked her, punched her in the nose, and broke her nose. Kelsey additionally reported that she had left the residence to seek treatment at Three Rivers Community Hospital.
Kelsey Box in a subsequent interview reported that Robert Box had been drinking. A sample of Robert Box's blood was subsequently tested for alcohol content. Testing showed Robert Box had a blood alcohol content of .09 at the time of the incident.
At approximately 10:28 PM on Friday, May 29, 2015, Oregon State Police Troopers Gregor Smyth and Heather West are advised of Kelsey Box's reported assault. At approximately 10:32 PM, Trooper West placed a telephone call to Robert Box. Robert Box confirms with Trooper West that he had punched his daughter Kelsey Box. Robert Box claimed he punched Kelsey Box after Kelsey Box had punched him. After Trooper West identified herself to Robert Box as a member of the Oregon State Police, Robert Box terminated the telephone call. Troopers Smyth and West responded to 108 Fir Canyon Road, Grants Pass at approximately 10:55 PM.
As Troopers Smyth and West approached the residence they were encountered by multiple barking dogs. Robert Box was alone at his residence. At approximately
11:00 PM, Trooper Smyth observed Robert Box near the rear of his residence talking on the telephone. Trooper Smyth called out to Robert Box and requested that he come out and speak to the Troopers. Robert Box stated into the telephone "hang on a minute somebody's here." As Robert Box approached the Officers, Trooper Smyth stated "Trooper Smyth and Trooper West with the State Police you are being recorded ."
At this time Robert Box was armed with a .44 magnum revolver. Robert Box was carrying the revolver in his right front pocket. Robert Box walked to approximately 15 feet from Troopers Smyth and West. Trooper Smyth ordered Robert Box not to touch the gun in his pocket.
Regardless of Trooper Smyth's order to Robert Box not to touch the gun, Robert Box removed the gun from his pocket and raised it in the direction of the Troopers.
In response to the actions of Robert Box Troopers Smyth and West discharged their duty firearms. Trooper Smyth discharged 7 rounds. Trooper West discharged 4 rounds. Robert Box was struck 7 times. Subsequently Robert Box dropped his gun into the bed of nearby truck. Upon subsequent inspection Robert Box's .44 magnum revolver was found fully loaded with six live rounds, 3 of which were hollow point bullets.
At approximately 11:01 PM, Trooper West radioed into dispatch that shots had been fired and the suspect was down. At approximately 11:01 PM, Trooper Smyth radioed into dispatch requesting medical units be sent to the scene. Trooper Smyth renders first aid to Robert Box while waiting for medical personnel to arrive. Fire personnel arrived on scene at approximately 11:14 PM . American Medical Response arrived on scene at approximately 11:17 PM. Robert Box was transported to Three Rivers Community Hospital. Robert Box was pronounced deceased at approximately 11:45 PM.
The District Attorney is charged with the duty of reviewing incidents where deadly physical force is used by the police to determine if the use of force was consistent with Oregon law.
During this incident both officers were justified in using deadly physical force under the circumstances they encountered. No further action in this matter is anticipated or merited.
District Attorney Mulkins would like to thank the Josephine County Major Crime Response Team for a thorough and detailed investigation of this event."
***End Release***
Previous Release:
On May 29, 2015 at approximately 10:27 p.m., two Oregon State Police Troopers responded to a 911 call at 108 Fir Canyon Road in rural Josephine County near Wilderville on the report of a domestic disturbance.
Initial information is that Kelsie BOX, age 23, called 911 to report her father, Robert BOX, age 55, was physically assaultive and causing her injury.
Oregon State Police Trooper Heather West and Trooper Gregor Smyth responded to the address. When the Troopers arrived at the location they made contact with Robert BOX in the driveway. Robert BOX was armed with a handgun. Shortly after making contact, the Troopers reported via radio to dispatch that shots had been fired and the subject was down. A handgun was recovered during the investigation.
The Troopers provided emergency medical care to Robert BOX on scene. Robert BOX was then transported to Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass for emergency medical treatment. Robert BOX was pronounced deceased a short time after arrival.
Troopers West and Smyth were not injured. As is standard protocol in officer-involved shooting investigations, they were placed on paid administrative leave pending the ongoing investigation and review by the Josephine County District Attorney's Office. West, age 41, joined OSP in 2007 and is currently assigned in the Patrol Services Division at the Grants Pass Worksite. Smyth, age 46, also joined OSP in 2007 and currently assigned in the Patrol Services Division at the Central Point Area Command.
Pursuant to Senate Bill 111 - Use of Deadly Force investigations - a multi-agency investigation coordinated by the Josephine County District Attorney is ongoing. This includes agencies from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Josephine County District Attorney's Office, the OSP Criminal Investigations Division and the OSP Forensic Services Division.
All above information was approved for release by the Josephine County District Attorney's Office. No other information is anticipated for release unless approved Josephine County District Attorney's Office.
Posted on FlashAlert: July 7th, 2015 1:08 PM
The Josephine County District Attorney's Office announced Monday that the two troopers involved in an officer involved shooting on May 29, 2015 were justified in their use of deadly physical force.
The following is information from the Josephine District Attorney's Office press release,
"Ryan Mulkins, the Josephine County District Attorney, announced today that he had concluded his review of the officer-involved shooting which occurred in the late night hours of May 29, 2015 at 108 Fir Canyon Road, Grants Pass and resulted in the death of Robert Box (DOB: 6/27/1959).
A full investigation of the incident was conducted by the Josephine County Major Crime Response Team, an interagency team comprised of detectives and personnel from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab assisted in the scene investigation and forensic analysis.
At approximately 10:21 PM on Friday, May 29, 2015, Kelsey Box, the adult daughter of Robert Box called 911 to report she had been assaulted by Robert Box at their home located 108 Fir Canyon Road, Grants Pass. Kelsey Box requested law enforcement response. Kelsey reported to the Oregon State Police Dispatch that she and her father engaged in an argument. Kelsey reported that her father had knocked her out of her wheel chair to the ground, choked her, punched her in the nose, and broke her nose. Kelsey additionally reported that she had left the residence to seek treatment at Three Rivers Community Hospital.
Kelsey Box in a subsequent interview reported that Robert Box had been drinking. A sample of Robert Box's blood was subsequently tested for alcohol content. Testing showed Robert Box had a blood alcohol content of .09 at the time of the incident.
At approximately 10:28 PM on Friday, May 29, 2015, Oregon State Police Troopers Gregor Smyth and Heather West are advised of Kelsey Box's reported assault. At approximately 10:32 PM, Trooper West placed a telephone call to Robert Box. Robert Box confirms with Trooper West that he had punched his daughter Kelsey Box. Robert Box claimed he punched Kelsey Box after Kelsey Box had punched him. After Trooper West identified herself to Robert Box as a member of the Oregon State Police, Robert Box terminated the telephone call. Troopers Smyth and West responded to 108 Fir Canyon Road, Grants Pass at approximately 10:55 PM.
As Troopers Smyth and West approached the residence they were encountered by multiple barking dogs. Robert Box was alone at his residence. At approximately
11:00 PM, Trooper Smyth observed Robert Box near the rear of his residence talking on the telephone. Trooper Smyth called out to Robert Box and requested that he come out and speak to the Troopers. Robert Box stated into the telephone "hang on a minute somebody's here." As Robert Box approached the Officers, Trooper Smyth stated "Trooper Smyth and Trooper West with the State Police you are being recorded ."
At this time Robert Box was armed with a .44 magnum revolver. Robert Box was carrying the revolver in his right front pocket. Robert Box walked to approximately 15 feet from Troopers Smyth and West. Trooper Smyth ordered Robert Box not to touch the gun in his pocket.
Regardless of Trooper Smyth's order to Robert Box not to touch the gun, Robert Box removed the gun from his pocket and raised it in the direction of the Troopers.
In response to the actions of Robert Box Troopers Smyth and West discharged their duty firearms. Trooper Smyth discharged 7 rounds. Trooper West discharged 4 rounds. Robert Box was struck 7 times. Subsequently Robert Box dropped his gun into the bed of nearby truck. Upon subsequent inspection Robert Box's .44 magnum revolver was found fully loaded with six live rounds, 3 of which were hollow point bullets.
At approximately 11:01 PM, Trooper West radioed into dispatch that shots had been fired and the suspect was down. At approximately 11:01 PM, Trooper Smyth radioed into dispatch requesting medical units be sent to the scene. Trooper Smyth renders first aid to Robert Box while waiting for medical personnel to arrive. Fire personnel arrived on scene at approximately 11:14 PM . American Medical Response arrived on scene at approximately 11:17 PM. Robert Box was transported to Three Rivers Community Hospital. Robert Box was pronounced deceased at approximately 11:45 PM.
The District Attorney is charged with the duty of reviewing incidents where deadly physical force is used by the police to determine if the use of force was consistent with Oregon law.
During this incident both officers were justified in using deadly physical force under the circumstances they encountered. No further action in this matter is anticipated or merited.
District Attorney Mulkins would like to thank the Josephine County Major Crime Response Team for a thorough and detailed investigation of this event."
***End Release***
Previous Release:
On May 29, 2015 at approximately 10:27 p.m., two Oregon State Police Troopers responded to a 911 call at 108 Fir Canyon Road in rural Josephine County near Wilderville on the report of a domestic disturbance.
Initial information is that Kelsie BOX, age 23, called 911 to report her father, Robert BOX, age 55, was physically assaultive and causing her injury.
Oregon State Police Trooper Heather West and Trooper Gregor Smyth responded to the address. When the Troopers arrived at the location they made contact with Robert BOX in the driveway. Robert BOX was armed with a handgun. Shortly after making contact, the Troopers reported via radio to dispatch that shots had been fired and the subject was down. A handgun was recovered during the investigation.
The Troopers provided emergency medical care to Robert BOX on scene. Robert BOX was then transported to Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass for emergency medical treatment. Robert BOX was pronounced deceased a short time after arrival.
Troopers West and Smyth were not injured. As is standard protocol in officer-involved shooting investigations, they were placed on paid administrative leave pending the ongoing investigation and review by the Josephine County District Attorney's Office. West, age 41, joined OSP in 2007 and is currently assigned in the Patrol Services Division at the Grants Pass Worksite. Smyth, age 46, also joined OSP in 2007 and currently assigned in the Patrol Services Division at the Central Point Area Command.
Pursuant to Senate Bill 111 - Use of Deadly Force investigations - a multi-agency investigation coordinated by the Josephine County District Attorney is ongoing. This includes agencies from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Josephine County District Attorney's Office, the OSP Criminal Investigations Division and the OSP Forensic Services Division.
All above information was approved for release by the Josephine County District Attorney's Office. No other information is anticipated for release unless approved Josephine County District Attorney's Office.
