SHOOTING: Clearly suicide by cop

Ofc. Spencer Mortensen of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department has been absolved in his shooting, and the video from his body worn camera is available to the public. In viewing that video, Ofc. Mortensen was exemplary in his actions. He advised the subject numerous times to drop the knife, tried to put distance between them and warned him he would shoot. It was only when Ofc. Mortensen was in imminent danger and had no choice but to protect himself, that he fired his weapon.

While Coordinator of the Law Enforcement Program at North Idaho College, I provided the curriculum on Officer Assisted Suicides (commonly referred to as Suicide by Cop) for law enforcement officers at the POST Basic Academy. This situation had all the earmarks of that sad phenomenon. Ofc. Mortensen, unfortunately, was also a victim in the incident, because he was forced to take someone’s life. I hope that all those folks who wrote letters castigating this professional before they had all the facts will now write an apology. I’m not holding my breath.

TAD LEACH, Undersheriff (Retired)

Kootenai County

Sheriff’s Office

Coeur d’Alene