AMARILLO, TEXAS -- An officer that killed a man who was driving toward him has been cleared by a grand jury. The jury of 12 found the officer acted in self-defense. The incident happened back in August, after a chase across the north side of town.
Officer Jowell Bullard said he feared for his life and fired a single shot that killed Ruben Arthur Flores Jr., 32. It started when the officer stopped a stolen Schwan's truck, which police said eventually turned toward the officer.
In the Thursday press conference Special Crimes Lieutenant Gary Trupe said the officer is now cleared to go back to work.
"Our policy is, you can protect your own life, you can protect the life of a 3rd person, or a third party, or actually, like I said you, if you feel your life is in danger, you are authorized to use deadly force. We're always going to have it reviewed in front of a grand jury," said Trupe.
District Attorney Randall Sims was also at the press conference and said it's important to make sure he's not the only one making the decision to clear the officer.
"We've taken a couple hits on blogs as to how can we put the officers though this process, even when it's clear they did the right thing. They ought to get commended, etc. etc. The reason we do it, is for the reason Gary (Lt. Trupe) just stated, we want 12 people at Potter County to know what the facts and circumstances are about what happened."
The officer is cleared to return to patrol. This was the last officer involved shooting this year to have to go through a grand jury in Potter County.
