6/24/2024
Astoria, OR. – Official Release: On December 6, 2023, Astoria Police Department (APD) officers responded to a distress call regarding a possible fentanyl overdose. Officer Stockton was first on the scene and was directed by the 911 caller to an unresponsive individual with a blue face who had no signs of breathing or a pulse. The reporting person informed Officer Stockton that she had administered two doses of Narcan.
Officer Stockton checked for breathing and a pulse and immediately started chest compressions after finding neither. He administered another dose of Narcan after the first cycle of chest compressions and was then able to detect a pulse. The Astoria Fire Department and Medix arrived to take over medical care, and the subject was subsequently transported to the hospital, where they fully recovered.
On behalf of the Astoria Police Department and a grateful community, Officer Zachary Stockton is awarded this Distinguished Service Commendation.
On December 12, 2023, officers from the Astoria Police Department (APD) responded to an emergency call from a mother who reported that her adult son was behaving erratically, and she wanted him removed from their residence. Officer Gerig was familiar with the subject and was aware that he had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Gerig discovered the man positioned at the top of the stairs inside the house. The man’s mother was attempting to persuade him to put on pants, but he was rambling incoherently and not making any sense. Both the mother and Officer Gerig tried to maneuver around the man to retrieve his pants from his room, but he resisted and headed toward his bedroom.
Officer Gerig informed the man of the outstanding arrest warrant and declared him under arrest. The suspect vehemently protested, asserting that he would not go to jail. Officer Gerig attempted to apprehend him by reaching for his arm, but he resisted and grappled with Officer Gerig. Officer Gerig drew his TASER and repeatedly warned the suspect that he would be TASER’d if he did not comply and get on the ground.
The suspect persisted in his ramblings and failed to comply with Officer Gerig’s orders. In a final effort to gain control, Officer Gerig deployed the TASER, but it was ineffective, and the suspect continued to resist. Officer Gerig closed the gap, determined to enforce compliance, but the suspect seized Officer Gerig’s TASER with both hands, attempting to wrestle it away.
Officer Gerig maintained control of his TASER and backed out of the situation. Simultaneously, the suspect seized a nearby knife and lunged toward Officer Gerig, brandishing the blade. In response, Officer Gerig warned the other officers of the knife’s presence and retreated into the hallway, transitioning to his firearm. The suspect emerged from the bedroom, still wielding the knife, and advanced toward Officer Gerig. Upon seeing the drawn firearm, the suspect stopped and darted back into the bedroom, barricading himself behind the door. Over the next 90 minutes, multiple attempts were made to coax the suspect out peacefully. Ultimately, the decision was made for officers to withdraw from the residence. The risk associated with a dynamic entry outweighed the necessity of immediate apprehension. Additionally, the suspect’s mother expressed no fear of harm from her son. Subsequently, a few hours later, another officer successfully took the suspect into custody when he was found outside the residence.
Officer Cory Gerig has been awarded this Distinguished Service Commendation on behalf of the Astoria Police Department and a grateful community.
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