Two Albany Police Department personnel were placed on critical incident leave after a fatal Wednesday, Feb. 8, incident that resulted in the death of an Albany man at a residence in southwest Albany.
Officers Eric Tress and Ken Fandrem, both department veterans at 10 and 23 years apiece, were identified as the involved parties. Critical incident leave is standard protocol and national best practice during an investigation. This one is being led by Corvallis Police Department detectives in conjunction with the Linn County District Attorney’s Office and the Linn/Benton Major Crimes Team.
Albany police officers responded at 9:38 a.m. Feb. 8 to a welfare check on 34-year-old Julius Hamilton. It was determined, according to reports, that he was armed with a handgun in his vehicle at Freeway Lakes on Three Lakes Road. Officers, Linn County Sheriff’s Office deputies and family members attempted to communicate with him, and a trained crisis negotiator was en route.
Law enforcement personnel worked from a distance to defuse the situation. According to reports, Hamilton was seen moving a pistol to his head, then to his side. Attempts were made to remove the family from the scene. Then police said witnesses yelled, “No, no” as the man pointed his weapon at officers. Tress and Fandrem reportedly responded with gunfire.
Onscene officials worked to ensure that family members and a bystander were unharmed and administered first aid to Hamilton, who died at the scene. A handgun was found nearby.
The Corvallis Police Department and Linn/Benton Major Crimes Team continue to interview witnesses and evaluate evidence to submit to the Linn County District Attorney’s Office.