(Stillwater, Okla.) On January 29, 2015 Stillwater police officer Cody Manuel became involved in an investigation which resulted in the shooting death of Ralph Willis. In the early morning hours of January 29, 2015 the Stillwater Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 115 W. Scott St. in Stillwater. Upon arrival they discovered that the two story structure was two separate apartments with the fire located in the upstairs apartment. Upon making entry to the lower apartment fire department personnel discovered a deceased male that had been stabbed to death. It was also quickly determined that the fire was most likely intentionally set. Through investigation the police determined the residents of the upstairs apartment where the fire was located were Ralph and Rachel Willis.
Records checks on both Ralph and Rachel Willis indicated that both had outstanding arrest warrants and Ralph Willis was on supervised release from the State of Kansas. Police began to search the immediate area for Ralph and Rachel Willis in an attempt to question them about the fire and the deceased male. Detective Cody Manuel then put out a department wide release to all officers to be on the lookout for both individuals.
Shortly after noon a City of Stillwater code enforcement officer that had seen the release identified both Ralph and Rachel Willis the Walmart located on Perkins Rd. Detective Manuel and numerous other officer responded to the location. When Ralph and Rachel Willis walked out of Walmart and saw the police officers they ran south. Detective Manuel in addition to other officers gave chase on foot. Rachel Willis was quickly taken into custody by officers. Ralph Willis ran into a neighborhood where he jumped a fence into a back yard where he then stopped and turned to confront officers. Detective Manuel stopped at the fence, drew his weapon, and began giving Willis commands to show his hand and get on the ground which were ignored. Another officer was in the process of jumping the fence when an agitated Willis began shouting threats at Manuel and other officers. Willis then made an overt and threatening gesture in which his left hand reached to his right side and lifted his shirt while his right had moved to his right back area in a manner consistent with his intent to remove something from that area. Willis quickly removed and produced a black object which Manuel believed was a gun and raised the object in the direction of Detective Manuel as well as the other officer jumping the fence. As a result of Willis’ actions, his belief Willis was producing a firearm, and believing that the officer jumping the fence was in a vulnerable position, Detective Manuel fired his weapon one time striking Willis in the chest. Willis expired at the scene.
On February 5, 2015 the investigation was completed and submitted for review to the District Attorney for the 9th Judicial District. Upon review the District Attorney’s office declined to file charges against Detective Manuel. This decision was based upon all of the facts and circumstances but more specifically the following:
– The fire at 115 W. Scott appeared to be intentionally set
– The deceased person in the apartment below his appeared to be the victim of a homicide.
– Witnesses reported seeing Ralph and Rachel Willis leaving the apartment early in the morning with multiple bags and belongings.
– Ralph Willis had a long criminal history and was on supervised release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.
– Upon contact by police Ralph Willis refused to comply with police commands and his refusal quickly turned to a confrontation.
– Detective Manuel reasonably believed that Willis’ threatening actions would cause harm to him, another officer, or the residents of the neighborhood.
– Detective Manuel’s use of deadly force was justified to prevent harm or injury to himself, the other officer, or residents of the neighborhood.
The evidence produced by the investigation does not support the filing of criminal charges against Detective Cody Manuel. Detective Manuel was faced with a fleeing suspect with known arrest warrants and an extensive criminal history. Detective Manuel was also faced with a suspect that confronted police in an agitated and aggressive manner which led Manuel and the other officers to reasonably believe their lives, their fellow officers and potentially, residents of the neighborhood would be at risk of death or serious injury.
As a result the District Attorney determined that the deadly force used by Detective Manuel was justified, appropriate and necessary under the law and the facts.
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