Medford Police Shooting of Knife-Wielding Man Sparks Grand Jury Review and Public Debate

MEDFORD, Ore. — Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) has released the name of the man shot by a Medford Police Department (MPD) officer during an officer-involved confrontation in Hawthorne Park last Friday.

He is 55-year-old Salvador Alex Sanchez, a local transient, wanted on two counts of unlawful use of a weapon during an incident earlier this year.

Sanchez Was Armed With a Large Fixed-Blade Knife

According to the JCSO, Sanchez was armed with a large, fixed-blade knife and became uncooperative when approached by a police officer who asked him to drop his weapon on more than one occasion.

The officer, who had called for backup, fired a shot when Sanchez moved towards him.

Officers on the scene provided aid to Sanchez, who was transported to a local hospital in a Mercy Flights ambulance less than five minutes after the shooting. Sanchez is in custody in the intensive care unit, where his condition is said to be stable.

It is standard protocol for another agency to lead investigations in officer-involved shootings, and this case has been taken over by the Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU).

Grand Jury Will Decide if Deadly Force Was Justified

The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has charged Sanchez with attempted first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest, and attempted second-degree escape. A Jackson County Grand Jury will consider the charges and decide whether the use of deadly force against Sanchez was justified under Oregon law.

Two officers involved in the incident are on administrative leave, pending the determination by the Grand Jury.

Medford Police Chief Calls for Continued Public Support

Meanwhile, MPD Chief Justin Ivens has called for the public’s continued support.

In a statement on the MPD Facebook page, Chief Ivens says the shooting incident is a ‘stark reminder’ of the risks police officers face while working to protect the community.

He states that the MPD has dedicated significant time and effort to improving safety and reducing illegal activity in public spaces.