Suspect in murder of Idaho sheriff’s deputy shot by police, authorities say

BOISE, Idaho – An Idaho sheriff’s deputy died after being shot by a driver during a traffic stop, and a man believed to be the shooting suspect was later shot to death by police, authorities said Sunday.

Deputy Tobin Bolter, 27, was shot as he approached the driver’s window around 9 p.m. Saturday in Boise, and the suspect fled, Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford said Sunday. Bolter was the first county sheriff’s deputy to be killed in the line of duty, Clifford said.

Boise police found the shooting suspect’s vehicle unoccupied about a half-hour after the shooting and found a man believed to be the suspect outside a home, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said.

The police tactical unit responded and tried for some time to get the man to surrender, Winegar said. Some nearby residents were told to evacuate, but others in the area were told to stay indoors, he said.

Shortly after midnight, the man fired at officers, and an officer returned fire and shot him, Winegar said. Officers helped him, but he was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital, he said.

The man’s name was not released, but authorities said he was 65 years old and wanted to be arrested for a misdemeanor.

A person who saw the shooting during the traffic stop called 911 and performed CPR on the officer before an ambulance arrived, Clifford said. Another officer on his way to the scene was involved in an accident with another vehicle, and both the officer and the other driver were taken to the hospital, Clifford said. The deputy was in stable condition Sunday, but the condition of the other person was not released.

In an emotional press conference shortly after Bolter passed away at the hospital, Clifford thanked the paramedics and the citizen who stopped to help the deputy.

“I think it shows what kind of community we live in, where there are bad people who will do bad things, but there are good people who help us and come to our aid,” he said.

Bolter worked in law enforcement for seven years but only joined the sheriff’s office in January, Clifford said. Prior to that, he worked for the Meridian Police Department as well as the Pleasant Hill Police Department in California.

Idaho Governor Brad Little ordered the U.S. and Idaho flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Bolter.

“Our hearts are broken for the family, loved ones and fellow law enforcement officers of Deputy Tobin Bolter,” Little said in a statement. “Day after day, our brave men and women in blue put themselves in harm’s way to protect us and keep our communities safe. Idaho is mourning this devastating loss.”