HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010_10_22_OIS Review_115 East Harding Avenue
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 October 22, 2010 On 10/21/10, the Bakersfield Police Department Critical Incident Review Board met and
reviewed the facts and circumstances surrounding the officer involved shooting which occurred on 9/24/10, at 115 East Harding Avenue. The Review Board concluded that the shots fired
by Officer William Caughell were within department policy and within state and federal guidelines. The Review Board consisted of Assistant Chief Lyle Martin, Captain Robert Bivens, Captain
Joe Bianco and Captain Hajir Nuriddin. Police Chief Greg Williamson reviewed the investigation and concurred with the Review Board’s findings. ORIGINAL RELEASE September 27, 2010 On
9/24/10, Officers William Caughell and Matthew Tramel received information that a man by the name 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.