Wasilla officer identified in fatal police shooting involving man with body armor

WASILLA, Alaska (KTUU) - A Wasilla police officer has been identified in the deadly officer-involved shooting last week that left a 34-year-old man dead.

Alaska State Troopers identified Wasilla Police Officer Cody Rice on Tuesday morning. AST Spokesman Austin McDaniel says Rice has been with the department for five years.

According to state troopers, Rice shot and killed Brett George after George allegedly fired an assault rifle at Rice’s car.

George was allegedly fleeing Rice after there was a 911 call reporting that George was threatening family members with a weapon, according to state troopers.

As troopers arrived, George put on body armor and armed himself with an assault rifle, according to the troopers' report. He left in his car, and the victims were able to escape the residence.

No law enforcement officer was injured, troopers said.

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation will be conducting an investigation. Once their investigation is completed, it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions.

Rice was also involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting in 2021. Alaska State Troopers stated that three officers shot and killed a Wasilla motorcyclist who fled from police and allegedly reached for a BB gun, which law enforcement said they mistook for a firearm.

Rice had been with WPD for two years at that point.

Alaska’s News Source reached out to the Office of Special Prosecutions for the conclusion of their review of the 2021 shooting, but had not heard back at the time of publishing.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.