Lane County District Attorney Patty Perlow Friday announced an officer involved shooting that occurred late last month was justified. It resulted in the death of a 40 year old man.
Eugene Police officer Sam Tykol was driving in Northeast Eugene very early on the morning of November 30th when he saw a person walking in the road. It was a cold night, in the 20s, and there had been reports of property crimes in the neighborhood. Officer Tykol stopped and got out of his vehicle and asked the person for id. The man, who was wearing a partial mask and hood, did not respond. Tykol called for backup. He tried to detain the man and a struggle ensued. At one point, Tykol used his taser, but the man fought him and was able to get the taser and use it on the officer. Tykol said he thought his life was danger. He shot the man, later identified as Elborio Rodriguez, 3 times. Rodriguez was declared dead by paramedics who later arrived at the scene. After an investigation by the Interagency Deadly Force Investigative team, District Attorney Patty Perlow found the use of deadly force by officer Tykol was lawful “under the circumstances of fighting for his life.” Officer Sam Tykol is 27 and has been with EPD for nearly 4 years. He was injured during the incident and remains on administrative leave as is protocol for officers involved in shootings on the job.
A preliminary drug screen performed on Elborio Rodriguez tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, opiods, and THC.
