BOISE, Idaho — A deputy with the Ada County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) remains hospitalized after being stabbed during a fatal confrontation with a man on Interstate 84 on Monday, April 10.
The injured deputy has undergone multiple surgeries for stab wounds. However, he has begun what appears to be a lengthy recovery, according to Wednesday's update.
The sheriff's office said the suspect, 40-year-old Jared Decker, died in the "confrontation that resulted in an officer-involved shooting."
The Ada County Coroner determined that Decker's cause of death were multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and has ruled the manner of death as homicide.
ACSO said the office is undergoing a "use of force and policy review" to help determine the exact details of the altercation and what the agency can specifically learn from the encounter if similar situation occurs in the future.
The confrontation started around 2 a.m. when a driver called Ada County Emergency 911 dispatch reporting what appeared to be two men wearing dark clothing walking on the right eastbound lane of traffic on I-84.
The Ada County Sheriff's Office said it turned out to be one man walking with a bike. The caller said at least two trucks had to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting the man.
Deputies who responded to the call walked up and asked Decker to get off of the highway. He reportedly "refused, yelled at the deputies, and kept going," according to the sheriff's office, which added that after a few more minutes of trying to talk to the man, a team of four deputies decided to take Decker into custody in order to get him off the highway.
When one of the deputies grabbed Decker's backpack, he swung around and grabbed the deputy. As a struggle between the two began, Decker pulled out a knife and stabbed the deputy multiple times as they fell on the ground.
The fight ended when two other ACSO deputies shot Decker as he fought with the deputy on the ground.
In the investigation, it was determined that at least one of the rounds fired by those deputies struck the deputy who was fighting with Decker, in the legs.
ACSO said that medical reports indicate the injuries caused by the stabbing will likely result in "a long-term and demanding recovery," and that the bullet wound does not appear to be significant.
According to the sheriff's office, a review performed by County Sheriff Matt Clifford concluded that the attending deputies saved the other deputy's life by stopping Decker from continuing to attack with the knife.
"I'm proud of our deputies. The violence erupted so suddenly, and they did not hesitate. Not for a second," Clifford said. "Their quick decision-making during such a confusing and chaotic situation stopped a fatal attack. I am beyond grateful."
The incident is still being Investigated with the Ada County Critical Incident Task Force are still actively investigating the incident.
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