8 Cd'A officers back on duty

The eight Coeur d’Alene Police officers involved in a Fourth of July shooting at City Park — which left 18-year-old Tyler Rambo hospitalized — have returned to work after being administratively cleared, though investigations into the incident and the officers’ actions are ongoing.

Chief of Police Lee White said the officers returned to duty after they were cleared by an internal investigation.

“All of their actions were consistent with our policies and training,” White said.

The officers were on paid leave while the city department and the Idaho State Police investigated the incident.

Rambo, of Spokane, was hospitalized in critical condition after being shot at least 10 times by police officers around 10:15 p.m. July 4 near Independence Point in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Rambo had refused to drop a .357 revolver he carried after allegedly shooting at someone near Independence Point shortly after the annual fireworks celebration.

Although another man was arrested for his involvement in the incident, no one else came forward to report they had been shot at by Rambo.

Rambo’s family prohibited medical personnel from releasing updated reports of his condition, but according to reports from people familiar with the matter, and Rambo’s Facebook page, the 18-year-old had parts of both legs amputated.

Police said officers responded that evening to a gun shot at Independence Point and followed Rambo west toward the park’s basketball courts while repeatedly asking him to drop the revolver he carried. Officers attempted to Taze Rambo when he pointed the gun in the direction of police and fired a shot.

Eight officers at the scene shot at Rambo, disabling him. EMTs later provided medical attention.

Justin Bangs, Jacob Brazle, Kyle Cannon, Matthew Edward, Ryan Germain, Nathan Herbig, Jacob Proctor and Casey Ziegler, who were involved in the incident, returned to work within a couple of weeks, White said.

The department continues to investigate the shooting to counter any liability lawsuits, and state police is also investigating whether the shooting was justified.

“Any time there is a shooting like this, there are three investigations that go on,” White said.

An administrative investigation makes sure officers followed department rules; a legal investigation prepares the department in case of lawsuits. An independent agency then investigates to determine if the shooting was justified and what charges, if any, should be brought to prosecutors.

White says his department’s investigations of its officers found each man followed procedures.

“They acted extremely professionally,” White said.

Another Spokane man who was with Rambo before the incident occurred was Roshad T. D. Grant, 25, of Spokane, who witnesses said carried a firearm when he allegedly ran from police, He is charged with a probation violation and for obstructing officers.

Paul Berger of Idaho State Police said his department’s investigation was ongoing.

The state police investigation into the shooting could take several months, according to state police. Once it is completed, the findings will be turned over to state attorneys, either the local prosecutor’s office, or an outside prosecutor.