Perry Michael Parks

How they died

Deadly force

Police responded to a domestic disturbance call from Perry Park's wife Tamara Parks. Perry, allegedly drunk, was yelling and swearing at Tamara in the presence of their two teenage daughters. Tamara's call to 911 dispatch indicated she was afraid things would get physical. When officers Michael Pomeroy and Jeff Gottstein arrived at the house, Perry "had calmed down" and was loading the dishwasher and eating a snack. Gottstein told him they were going to take him, Perry refused claiming he had done nothing wrong and it was his house. Gottstein attempted to grab Perry, Perry lifted his arm to block him, causing Gottstein to fall back. When Gottstein regained his balance he grabbed Parks by the throat and sprayed him several times in the face with Oleoresin Capsicum spray. The two continued to struggle with Perry yelling "I can't see!" as they wrestled on the floor. Gottstein accused Perry of reaching for his gun, and Pomeroy attempted to shoot him twice, but his weapon misfired twice, each time Pomeroy struck the butt of it on the counter in a "malfunction drill." Tamara attempted to block Pomeroy's shot and screamed for him not to shoot, but on the third attempt Pomeroy shot Perry directly through the back of his right shoulder. Perry was still on his hands and knees and died within moments. Total time Pomeroy and Gottrieb were in the house before Perry was shot dead was approximately 3-4 minutes.

Why we remember them

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

References & sources