HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010_09_27_OIS Follow up release
BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE Greg Williamson, Chief of Police ________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Sergeant Mary DeGeare Public
Information Officer 661-326-3803 mdegeare@Bakersfieldpd.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 27, 2010 On 9/24/10, Officers William Caughell and Matthew Tramel received information that
a man by the name of “George” was selling narcotics from the residence at 115 E. Harding Avenue and therefore the officers went there to investigate. The officers made contact at approximately
11:01 p.m., and the front door at 115 E. Harding Avenue was open. The officers knocked at the front door and announced who they were and called inside for the resident to come to the
front door. The resident, Lonnie George Cockren Sr. 58, emerged from an interior room and acknowledged their presence. Cockren was wearing a long un-tucked Pendleton type shirt. The
officers asked him if he was “George” and Cockren indicated the person they were looking for was inside one of the interior rooms then turned right as if he were going to get him but
instead withdrew a concealed revolver from his waist and pointed it toward the officers. Officer Caughell fired two times, striking Cockren in the chest. Cockren was transported to Kern
Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. A subsequent search of the house revealed a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine and narcotics use paraphernalia. The revolver was
also seized. Officer Caughell was placed on routine administrative leave. A Critical Incident Investigation per department policy is being conducted. Anyone with information is asked
to call Bakersfield Police at 327-7111.