William Orthendahl

How they died

Deadly force

Officers were dispatched to Orthendahl's home after his mother, who did not live with him, requested police check on his welfare, police said. Orthendahl met two officers at the door and pointed a shotgun at them. One officer fired at Orthendahl, hitting him in the torso. The man then barricaded himself inside, and SWAT units were called to try and negotiate with the man. When police entered the home, Orthendahl met two SWAT officers in a hallway and pointed his shotgun toward them. He was shot and killed.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that William Orthendahl, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources