Alaska troopers charged with assault for Kenai incident involving wrong man
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Two state troopers were charged with assault stemming from an incident earlier this year in Kenai in which a man was mistaken for another suspect and hospitalized due to actions by the officers, according to law officials.
In a Thursday press conference, Alaska State Trooper Sgt. Joseph Miller, 49, and Trooper Jason Woodruff, 42, were identified as the two officers being charged with one count of fourth-degree assault in the wrongful arrest of 38-year-old Ben Tikka.
During Thursday’s press conference, Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell said he was “totally sickened” after reviewing video from the incident.
“Because of their actions, there was significant injuries to the person that we went to the hospital that was in that vehicle,” Cockrell said. “I’ve been with this department 33 years, and I’ve never seen any action like this before by an Alaska State Trooper, and it’s hard for me to equate how this has affected me and other troopers that wear this uniform.”
According to charging documents, on May 24, 2024, Soldotna dispatch notified local police about a public assistance call they received who they believed to have come from a man, Garrett Tikka, who had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for his arrest for failing to serve a 10-day sentence for driving while his license was revoked.
Dispatch further advised police that the suspect in question was associated with a black 2008 GMC Denali with Alaska plate number GUX390, registered to Matthew or Sharon Tikka.
At approximately 4:40 a.m., Alaska State Troopers and Kenai Police found the SUV parked at Daubenspeck Family Park on Marathon Road in Kenai.
Woodruff and Miller were responding officers, and Woodruff also had a K9 officer with him. The two troopers discussed the option of using a K9 during contact as they believed Garrett Tikka was likely to run once approached.
Upon attempting to contact the occupant of the vehicle, the man remained hidden in the rear of the SUV for several minutes and did not respond to law enforcement. The man — later identified as Ben Tikka — was said to have been seen in the back of the vehicle and disputed the fact that he had an active warrant.
Court documents state Miller then broke the rear window of the vehicle and shot pepper spray at Tikka, causing him to then get out of the SUV.
Tikka continued to disobey police orders as troopers tried to handcuff him. Miller reportedly placed his boot on Tikka’s head, pushing it into the ground covered in broken glass. Miller is said to have then used his taser multiple times.
As Tikka appeared to start complying with commands, Woodruff then released his K9 officer and ordered it to bite Tikka.
As Tikka, lying face-down, placed his hands behind his back, he was repeatedly bitten by the police dog, named Olex, which had also bitten its handler, Woodruff, minutes earlier, the documents say.
Tikka tried to move away from the dog and Woodruff commanded it to continue biting; the dog did so, attacking Tikka even as Tikka — covered in blood — complied with commands to put his hands up and begged, “Please stop the dog. Please stop the dog.”
The dog has been taken out of service, Cockrell said.
The man was eventually placed in handcuffs and given first aid treatment until EMS could arrive and take him to an area hospital for further treatment.
It was then soon after, troopers learned the adult male they apprehended was not Garrett Tikka, but in fact Ben Tikka, who did not have an active warrant. As standard protocol, a review of use-of-force and use of a K9 was then conducted.
Only as Tikka was being taken to a hospital did another trooper confirm he was Ben Tikka, not Garrett.
After the initial review, Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell determined policy violations were potentially discovered and as a result, ordered for an investigation.
Following the investigation, the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions filed criminal charges on both officers, in Kenai District court on Wednesday.
The department added that both Miller and Woodruff will be arraigned in court on Sept. 10 in Kenai. Cockrell said the two troopers remain employed by the state.
In closing remarks, Cockrell said the actions of the two troopers were unacceptable to him.
“It’s not in the line of our training and our policy,” Cockrell said. “While this is an unfortunate day for the Alaska State Troopers, I hope that Alaskans will continue to place their trust in the hundreds of troopers that honorably serve Alaskans every day ensuring public safety across this great state.”
The troopers arrested Ben Tikka on several counts, including fourth-degree assault for placing troopers in fear of physical injury. The Kenai District Attorney’s Office later dismissed the case.
Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore said the state has previously filed excessive use of force charges against police officers in Bethel and Anchorage, but he couldn’t recall such charges being filed against a trooper in the 25 years he’s been with the state.
According to charging papers, Miller told investigators that no force would have been used if Tikka had simply exited the vehicle and complied with commands.
When asked if the force used by officers in this situation was reasonable, he replied: “From my understanding, yes.”
The investigators with the Alaska Bureau of Investigation said Woodruff told them he was following his training in using the dog on Tikka. He described Tikka as “super pissed” when he got out of the vehicle.
“Was he throwing punches or anything like that? No. However, he was still resistant,” the charging papers quoted Woodruff as saying.
Woodruff’s attorney, Clint Campion, did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment. Online court records did not list an attorney for Miller, and AP was not immediately able to find valid contact information for him.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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