Officer Involved Shooting

STATE OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASE

Domestic Disturbance, Officer-Involved Shooting in Salisbury
Salisbury, VT 11/17/2011 – On November 17, 2011 at 12:08 AM the Vermont State Police dispatch center received a 911 call from a woman who resides on Lake Dunmore Rd in Salisbury, Vermont. The caller advised that her live in boyfriend, Gerald “Dusty” Woodburn, age 52 from Salisbury, had taken her cell phone, had a firearm, and had left the residence.

Troopers from the New Haven Barracks were notified of the call and responded to the caller's residence. While the troopers were enroute, Woodburn returned home and entered the residence. At this time the woman was home with her two brothers. Upon their arrival, the troopers met the two brother’s outside of the residence who indicated that the woman and Woodburn were currently inside having a domestic argument.

The troopers met the woman at the front door and were allowed inside the residence. Once inside the troopers attempted to separate the woman and Woodburn in order to obtain statements from them as to the nature of the domestic disturbance. When the troopers attempted to interview the woman and Woodburn, the woman conveyed to the troopers that Woodburn had a gun. Woodburn then raised the gun pointing it at the troopers. At this time one of the troopers fired a single round at Woodburn. The troopers lost sight of Woodburn as he retreated further into the residence. As the troopers moved to a position of cover and called for further assistance they heard another shot from inside the residence.

Troopers from the Rutland Barracks, as well as officers from the Middlebury Police Department and the Brandon Police Department, responded to assist. The Vermont State Police Tactical Services Unit and Hostage Negotiation Unit were also activated and responded to the residence. Everyone was evacuated from the building, including the woman, and a perimeter was established around the residence.

Attempts to contact Woodburn inside the residence were unsuccessful, the Tactical Services Unit entered the residence and discovered Woodburn deceased inside from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No one else was injured during the course of this incident.

In talking about the safety concerns surrounding this incident, Colonel Thomas L’Esperance, Director of the Vermont State Police, said “we take every precaution to protect everyone involved in these volatile situations, our primary goal is public safety.”

In accordance with Vermont State Police protocol state police detectives from outside of the troop area were called in to investigate the incident. The Vermont State Police Crime Scene Search Team was called and is processing the scene. Woodburn was removed from the scene and transported to the Office of the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. The investigation is happening in cooperation with the Addison County State’s Attorney’s Office, as well as the Attorney General’s Office.

The name of the woman is being withheld due to the nature of the incident. The troopers involved in the shooting will not be named, at this time, for officer safety reasons. The troopers were immediately placed on administrative leave, with pay, per policy.

Once the investigation is completed the case will be reviewed by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, as is customary in an officer-related shooting.

“We will await the completion of the investigation and the review from Attorney General’s before drawing any conclusions about today’s events,” said Colonel L’Esperance. “The vital decision to use deadly force is something that will stay with these troopers, throughout their careers. And we will provide support to our members, as needed.”

When more information becomes available, an updated (press release) will be issued.