Cottonwood — The Cottonwood Police Department has released the body camera footage of an officer involved shooting that sent an officer to hospital.
According to to Cottonwood Police, on May 6, 2020 at approximately 7:22 a.m., officers responded to a report about 57-year-old Jeffrey John Thomas, who had been observed demonstrating erratic behavior and threatening others with physical violence. Citizens in the area advised officers that his erratic behaviors have been escalating over the last few weeks.
Due to Thomas’ “erratic and unusual behavior,” the Mobile Behavioral Crisis Team was called to assist with a mental health evaluation. The Crisis Team ultimately filed a petition which authorized the detention of Jeffery for further evaluation.
Cottonwood Police say officers attempted to serve this order on Thomas, but after multiple attempts to get him to exit his residence and his refusal, they decided to allow him to deescalate and attempt contact with him later that day.
At around 7:45 p.m., officers were called to the area of E. Birch and S. 15th Street for a report of a suspicious male subject who was reportedly “charging” vehicles passing by him. Responding officers were further informed the male suspect was holding what appeared to be a flagpole.
Officer Matt Strickland was one of the first officers on scene. Thomas was attempting to conceal himself behind a bush when they arrived. Initially Officer Strickland believed Thomas was carrying a flagpole. Jeffery immediately ran towards his residence where officers followed. After a short foot pursuit Jeffery began making erratic statements saying they were there to “kill” him.
Thomas allegedly was disguising a shotgun with what appeared to officers to be some type of makeshift flag when he shot at Officer Strickland striking him in his left arm. Officers were able to take cover and began exchanging gunfire.
Verde Valley SWAT responded to the scene and within an hour Thomas surrendered without further incident.
Cottonwood Police believe Thomas was attempting, and intended to, ambush the arriving officers.
Thomas was booked into the Yavapai County Detention Center in Camp Verde. He was charged with Attempted Murder in 2nd Degree, Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm and Endangerment. He is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.
According to Cottonwood Police, “Officer Strickland sustained non-life threatening but serious injuries to his arm and is currently doing well and should be released from the hospital soon.”
Officer Strickland is a six-year veteran of the Cottonwood Police Department.