8/3/22, 7:25 PM
PRESS RELEASE
Jefferson County District Attorney Steven Leriche concluded his review of the Madras Police Department (MPD) and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) officer-involved shooting that occurred on July 22, 2022, at the Kentucky Fried Chicken located in Madras, Oregon.
Rafael Gomez, 30, of Madras sustained a bullet wound through his arm lodging in his torso. After being hospitalized he was lodged at the Jefferson County Jail on July 24, 2022. According to the press release, Mr. Gomez talked about the the media and being “famous.”
District Attorney Leriche’s review of this incident clears the officer involved of any wrongdoing. “Upon review of this incident, evidence unquestionably supports the conclusion that law enforcement was justified in using deadly physical force under the circumstances they encountered and it was reasonably for them to believe that their lives and the lives of others were endangered.”
Leriche further commended Sheriff Jason Pollock for his actions in pursing Gomez on foot while ignoring his own safety and having Gomez’s weapon pointed at him.
