Officers cleared in deadly shoot out
On August 23, the Wadena County Attorney’s office released their findings on the shooting deaths of David Savala and Shannon Savala which occurred on February 27.
After a comprehensive review of the case file, the Wadena County Attorney’s Office has concluded that criminal charges are not warranted against Sebeka Officer Worm or Wadena County Deputy Mayer in the deaths.
The evidence in the case file makes it clear that deadly force used in the line of duty was necessary to protect the peace officer and/or another from apparent death or great bodily harm pursuant to Minn. Stat. 5609.066.
Traffic stop
In the evening hours of February 27, Deputy Troy Mayer was on routine patrol in Wadena County. On this particular evening, Deputy Mayer had a civilian ride-along (hereinafter “R.M.”) in his squad car. Shortly before 9 p.m., while traveling on Wadena County Road 12, Deputy Mayer observed two vehicles approaching him at a high rate of speed.
The officer activated his radar in the squad car and the radar indicated a speed of 80 mph in a 55 mph speed zone. Deputy Mayer turned his squad car around and activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. The officer observed that one of the vehicle’s (later identified as Shannon Savala’s vehicle) slowed down his speed; the other vehicle in the lead, appeared to create a tremendous amount of distance between themselves and the squad car, indicating to the officer that the vehicle was not slowing down and it continued to travel at a high rate of speed. The lead vehicle was later identified as being driven by David Savala.
Deputy Mayer passed Shannon’s vehicle and continued to pursue David’s vehicle. Near the area of 205th Avenue, the officer observed that David’s vehicle appeared to be pulling over to the side of the road and the officer radioed this information to dispatch. After doing this, the officer observed that David’s vehicle turned south on a gravel road and he did not stop; the officer updated dispatch on the pursuit involving David’s vehicle. . .