Dennis Wampler

Deadly force

Deputy John Shepherd Thatcher shot Dennis Wampler at about 7:30 a.m., after members of the Mineral Area Drug Task Force had gone to serve a search warrant in connection with a suspected clandestine methamphetamine laboratory. Thatcher reportedly fired two rounds from a 12-gauge pump shotgun, at least one of which hit the back window of Wampler's car as he attempted to flee. In February 2001, Thatcher was charged with involuntary manslaughter by Special Prosecuting Attorney John D. Rupp of Washington County, who'd been assigned the case after Ste. Genevieve County Prosecuting Attorney Carl Kinsky recused himself due to possible conflict of interest. According to the Probable Cause Statement. "Evidence at the scene and witnesses indicated at no time did Wampler or the female make an aggressive movement toward officers that were behind Wampler nor in the farmhouse, as the other was fleeing away from officers. No one reported seeing any occupants in the car attempting to use a weapon."