PRESS RELEASE
11 February 2016
Pacific Patriot Network - Oath Keepers - III%
Harney County's response to PPN's letter of intent on
February 2nd, 2016
PPN received a signed letter by the 3 commissioners of
Harney County in response to our letter of intent on February 2nd, 2016. It is
noted that the response is from the Harney County Court and does not include a
signature from the Sheriff. Also note, a copy to be served upon the FBI agent
in charge was not served due to Mr. Bretzing not being in the County at the
time of service.
PPN acknowledges the reply from the County and
appreciates their prompt response. But in light of the explanations offered, we
ask for further clarification.
PPN requests a copy of the Policy describing the use of
deadly force adopted by Harney County to include the date of adoption and
approval by the Oregon State Attorney General.
The explanation given by Harney County does not serve as
a reason to not detain the officers involved in the shooting with the evidence
that has been brought to light. This evidence shows that the traffic stop was
not random, but rather premeditated and a roadblock was established prior to
the stop taking place. The use of deadly force is described as:
Amendment and subject to a reasonableness requirement.
Deadly force is not justified unless the officer has probable cause to believe
that the suspect poses an immediate threat to the officer or to others, such as
threatening with a weapon or probable cause to believe that the suspect has
committed a crime involving the infliction or threatened infliction of serious
physical harm. A warning should be given where feasible. See, Tennessee v.
Garner, 471 U.S. 1, 105 S. Ct. 1694(1985). The shooting of someone is
considered a “seizure” within the meaning of the Fourth
The video evidence along with verbal testimony from the
eye witnesses make a pretty strong case that Mr. Finicum was not threatening
any officer with a weapon as his hands were in the air. Use of deadly force is
only applicable when an actual threat to the safety of the officer or other
person takes place. It is irrelevant whether or not Mr. Finicum had a weapon on
his person as it was not in his hand with intent to use it. That justification
being put out is nonsense, as every concealed carry holder in this State should
be shot and killed with that explanation.
In order to refute the Peoples’ demand to detain these
officers on probable cause for wrongful death, more evidence needs to be
released to the public. It is confirmed that two phones in the truck were
recording that day. That will have audio and add context to the altercation.
Until evidence showing the actions of the officers were justified, our demand
for detention remains steadfast.
PPN’s request to demilitarize the County still stands as
well. The Burns Municipal Airport is described as:
Burns Municipal Airport (IATA: BNO, ICAO: KBNO, FAA LID:
BNO) is a city owned, public use airport located five nautical miles (6 mi, 9
km) east of the central business district of Burns, a city in Harney County,
Oregon, United States. It is included in the National Plan of Integrated
Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a general aviation
facility.
This property is not federally managed and the County has
every right to request immediate removal of all federal personnel. If federal
assistance in negotiating the issues at the MNWR is needed, that is fine. The
tactical presence of heavily armed agents and military grade equipment at the airport
is not.
PPN acknowledges the Commissioner’s declining to resign
their positions of office. We would request a statement from the Sheriff
respectively, since the response came from the County Court and Mr. Ward did
not sign the response personally.
Pacific Patriots Network Media Team
media@pacificpatriotsnetwork.com
http://www.pacificpatriotsnetwork.com/press_release_2016-02-11.php
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