DPS Update on Polk County Officer Involved Shooting - May 3, 2017
The BCA has referred the findings of its investigation into a March 20, 2017, officer involved shooting in Polk County to the Polk County Attorney’s Office for review.
The BCA’s news release last month stated that the manner of death for Clarence Duane Huderle of Warren, Minn., was undetermined pending further investigation by the University of North Dakota Medical Examiner’s Office in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The medical examiner has now determined that Huderle was shot by law enforcement and did not commit suicide.
Generally speaking, a medical examiner categorizes the manner of death as accidental, natural, suicide or homicide (at someone else’s hand).
#
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating an officer involved shooting incident that happened on March 20 in Polk County.
The Grand Forks County Medical Examiner has identified the deceased subject as Clarence Duane Huderle, 73, of Warren, Minn. Huderle died of a gunshot wound; the manner of death is undetermined pending further investigation.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a rural mail carrier who was delivering mail in Section Two of Northland Township that he heard two gunshots which resulted in the rear window of the vehicle shattering.
A Polk County Deputy responded to the area where the shots were fired. While investigating the report he was confronted by Huderle armed with a rifle. The deputy called for assistance and other law enforcement agencies responded. Huderle fired at the deputy, striking the deputy’s vehicle. Huderle was later located deceased outside of his residence with a high powered rifle.
According to the preliminary investigation, one law enforcement officer fired his weapon during the incident. The officer has been interviewed by investigators and provided a statement. The officer, a member of the Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force, is not being named because he works in an undercover capacity.
Minnesota law states that a law enforcement agency “shall withhold public access to data on individuals to protect the identity of individuals” in certain circumstances, including “when access to the data would reveal the identity of an undercover law enforcement officer.” (Minnesota Statute section 13.82 subd. 17)
The BCA’s investigation into the officer involved shooting is ongoing. When complete, the BCA will turn its findings over to the Polk County Attorney’s Office for review.
###
