Robert E. Shepard

Deadly force

Sgt. Jason M. Hartman may have pulled Shepard's car over for suspicious behavior or expired tags, or encountered the car parked in a Safeway lot. Patrol Officer Ronald R. Voeller arrived as backup and a struggle ensued with Shepard, who remained in the car. Shepard may have attempted to fire a two-shot Derringer. Hartman struggled on the driver's side to grab Shepard's gun as Voeller hit Shepard's head with a flashlight from the passenger side. Sergeant Marc R. Wheelwright then arrived and shot Shepard in the head. Shepard was later suspected of recent pharmacy drug robberies and several area crimes. Voeller and Wheelwright were awarded Medals of Valor and the Silver Star, respectively.