On April 25, 2013, officer Jason Nokes and his partner were involved with an altercation with a mentally ill man which resulted in officer Nokes receiving a concussion and damage to his left eye.  During the altercation, the assailant sucker punched officer Nokes which brougth him to his knees.  Nokes' partner made two attempts to taze the assailant, neither attempt having any effect the assailant.  As the assailant returned to Nokes, Nokes withdrew his weapon and fired into the assailants leg, thereby allowing Nokes and his partner to control and arrest the assailant.  

The City of Winooski hired an independent national consultant, Lou Reiter, who determined "..officer Nokes fired his weapon to defend his own well-being..".  "Officer Nokes had a right and duty to defend himself from the immediate danger posed by the (assailant)".  Mr. Reiter further concluded that the use of deadly force under these circumstances would be objectively reasonable and consistent with generally accepted police practices and training.

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