Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/08/07

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DEPUTY JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING ARMED PAROLEE

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Deputy Sheriff Jon Watson acted justifiably in the shooting death of James Richard Nace on December 10, 2005. After reviewing the investigative reports submitted by detectives from the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, the District Attorney’s Office concluded that Deputy Watson reasonably believed his life and the lives of fellow deputies Dave Iverson and Greg Myers were in imminent danger of great bodily injury or death at the time Nace was shot.

Deputy Iverson came upon Nace and a female standing by their parked vehicle with two pit bull dogs. Nace, who was a convicted felon and parolee at large, gave the deputy a false name. When Iverson noted five pounds of marijuana in the vehicle, the female said that she was a care-giver for ten patients. There was also ammunition in the vehicle, although Nace denied a gun was present.

Meanwhile, Deputies Watson and Myers responded as routine back-up assistance for Deputy Iverson and Nace’s true identity was discovered. When told he was being arrested, Nace responded with an obscenity and refused the deputy’s directives. Then, reaching from his waistband, he shoved a loaded revolver under Deputy Watson’s protective vest. Deputy Watson was able to grab the cylinder of the revolver and prevent it from discharging. Deputy Iverson was able to take Nace to the ground.

All three deputies struggled with Nace on the ground while he still had the revolver. Deputy Watson, fearing for his life and the lives of the other deputies, was able to stand up, draw his firearm and direct the other deputies to get away from Nace. At that time, Nace got off the ground and raised the revolver toward Deputy Watson. Deputy Watson fired one round, striking Nace in the chest. The deputies initiated CPR and paramedics continued lifesaving measures but Nace did not have a pulse upon arrival at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Toxicology results later revealed an elevated level of methamphetamine in Nace’s blood.