Jenoah Donald

Date: 2/4/2021            Location: Hazel Dell, Washington                 FACTORS (1,8,12,19)          

Name: Jenoah Donald                                   

Criminal History/Involved: Unknown./None reported.       

Mental Illness: Unknown./None reported.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown./None reported.

Race/Sex/Age: Black/Male/30

Officer(s) involved: Clark County Sheriff’s Office, K-9 handler Deputy Sean Boyle, Deputy Holly Troupe, and one more unnamed deputy.                   

What prompted the initial contact with police? At approximately 7:40 p.m. on February 4, 2021, deputies responded to a 911 call of suspicious activity involving two vehicles driving around a “drug house.“ Upon arrival in the area, Deputy Boyle stopped a vehicle operated by Jenoah Donald for an equipment violation.

Actions taken by subject towards police: Donald refused to comply with the deputies commands to exit the vehicle and show his hands. Instead Donald “put the car in motion” even as Deputy Boyle was trying to physically remove him from the vehicle.

Reactions by the police: Deputy Boyle was effectively “pulled into the vehicle” and “in a compromised position” struggling with Donald in the moving vehicle. Fearing for his personal safety, Deputy Boyle yelled at Donald to let him go and fatally shot Donald when he failed to do so.

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: Clark County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Golik is awaiting the findings of prosecuting attorney’s from five counties across the state who are reviewing the completed investigation.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Comply with the deputies commands and exit the vehicle and show his hands; Not proceed to drive off while a deputy was trying to pull him out of his vehicle; Comply with Deputy Boyle’s commands to release his grip on him while attempting to drive away.

Miscellaneous. The report that “the situation reportedly escalated” after Deputy “Troupe told Donald to show his hands several times” suggests Donald was irritated with the command. Here is another example where education advocacy instructing people on the proper way to respond to law enforcement officers’ commands can save lives.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, Deputy Boyle had reasonable cause to believe his life was in danger when Donald refused to let go of him and continued driving his vehicle. Considering Agent Eliezer Hernandez-Cartagena was fatally run over on January 11, 2021 and Deputy Sheriff Stanley "Allen" Burdic was similarly murdered on March 11, 2021, Deputy Boyle justifiably used deadly force to avoid facing a similar fate.