Monday, December 4, 2017

**Update – Deputy Involved Shooting November 16, 2017



December 4, 2017

On November 16, 2017 three Levy County Deputy Sheriffs responded to 7450 NW 110 Street in Chiefland to a reported domestic violence complaint with an armed subject. Deputies arrived and confronted Michael Wesley Goodale (7-21-83) at the front door of this residence. Goodale was armed with two knives and refused to comply with all lawful orders given by deputies. Deputies deployed Tasers in an attempt to disarm Goodale, but the Tasers were ineffective. Goodale attacked our Deputies which forced them to use their agency issued handguns to stop this attack. Goodale was struck by two bullets fired by our deputies and did not survive his injuries. Two deputies sustained minor injuries during the altercation.

The Levy County Deputies involved in this incident were placed on administrative leave with pay that same evening in compliance with our agency policy. Sheriff McCallum contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and requested they conduct an independent investigation into this incident. Sheriff McCallum was recently updated on the progress of the FDLE investigation and has authorized all three deputies to return to duty.

On the date this incident was reported by the complainant, who called 911 to report the emergency, the LCSO Communications Division dispatched the nearest unit available and back-up units. Deputy Robert “Bob” Cannon was the first to arrive on scene. K-9 Sergeant Kevin Kinik and K-9 Deputy Gary Garboski arrived within two minutes of Deputy Cannon’s arrival.

Deputy Cannon has been employed with the LCSO since May of 2005 with prior experience as a Police Officer with the Chiefland Police Department and as a Correctional Officer with the Florida Department of Corrections. Sergeant Kinik began his career with the LCSO in January of 2004 and has four years of prior experience with the Chiefland Police Department. Deputy Garboski began his second career in law enforcement with the LCSO in November of 2015 after completing a full career with the Tampa Police Department.

This deadly encounter is the only time Levy County deputies have been forced to engage a criminal suspect with deadly force since 2005. In both these instances the lives of our deputies and our community were endangered. This is a tragedy for all involved. Our deputies, as well as every other law enforcement officer across this nation, have to make the most difficult decisions in a split second to preserve life.

The family of Mr. Goodale was forever altered that night and these deputy’s lives have also been affected. Our thoughts and prayers are with our men and women who have taken an oath to protect those in our community who entrust us with their safety, and with the Goodale family.