Alaska State Fire Marshal Emphasizes the Importance of Smoke Detectors
October 1, 2024 (Anchorage, AK) – As the autumn chill settles in, fire safety is a paramount concern for Alaskans. Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a proclamation to recognize October as Fire Prevention month in Alaska. And as October 6 – 12 is Fire Prevention Week, the Division of Fire and Life Safety is emphasizing the critical role smoke detectors play in safeguarding lives and property. Smoke detectors are a simple yet effective tool that can provide early warnings of fire, allowing families to evacuate quickly and safely.
Lloyd Nakano, Alaska State Fire Marshal, emphasizes the importance of smoke detectors in every home: “Smoke detectors are your first line of defense against fire. They provide the precious seconds needed to escape safely. I urge all Alaskans to ensure their smoke detectors are in working order and to test them regularly. Together, we can make our communities safer.”
In Alaska there have been 21 fire related deaths to date in 2024. For full civilian fire fatality statistics, visit DPS Division of Fire & Life Safety.
Let’s make this week and all of October a month of awareness and action. Ensure your smoke detectors are working and join us in promoting fire safety throughout Alaska.
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Alaska Law Enforcement Team Up for Crime Suppression Operation in Interior
August 22, 2024 (FAIRBANKS, AK) – Last week, multiple law enforcement agencies from around Alaska conducted a joint-operation to disrupt drug trafficking and associated criminal activity in the Fairbanks and North Pole area. The two-day effort took place from August 14-15, and more than a dozen local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies were involved in the effort.
“Your Alaska State Troopers are committed to working tirelessly to keep harmful drugs off of our streets, and making Alaska a safer place to live, work, visit, and raise a family,” said Colonel Maurice Hughes, Director of the Alaska State Troopers. “With the support of our local, state and federal partners we will continue to conduct operations like these and hold those that deal death in our state accountable for their actions.”
A total of 32 arrests were made, including 23 warrant arrests. Officers also conducted 105 traffic stops and contacted over 204 people in connection with this effort.
This joint crime and drug trafficking suppression operations was a joint effort consisting of more than 40 sworn law enforcement officers from a dozen local, state and federal agencies including the Alaska State Troopers, Fairbanks Police Department, North Pole Police Department, UAF Police Department, Fairbanks Airport Police Department, Anchorage Police Department, North Slope Borough Police Department, Alaska Department of Corrections, the US Marshals, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Wasilla Police Department, and the Alaska State Park Rangers.
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Two Alaska State Troopers Charged with Assault
August 15, 2024 (Soldotna, AK) — Alaska Department of Public Safety James Cockrell announced today at a press conference that two Alaska State Troopers have been charged with misdemeanor assault, after an arrest they made in May 2024, on the Kenai Peninsula. The Troopers are identified as:
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49-year-old Joseph Miller, a 14-year employee of the Alaska State Troopers, who most recently served as a shift supervisor in Soldotna. Miller was charged with one count of Assault in the Fourth Degree.
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42-year-old Jason Woodruff, a 16-year employee of the Alaska State Troopers, who most recently worked as a K9 officer in Soldotna. Woodruff was charged with one count of Assault in the Fourth Degree.
On May 24, 2024, the Alaska State Troopers and Kenai Police Department responded to reports that a vehicle was parked in a public right of way and was registered to an adult male with an active misdemeanor warrant. The law enforcement officers who responded attempted to contact the occupant of the vehicle, however, he remained hidden in the rear of the vehicle for several minutes and did not respond to law enforcement. Troopers spotted the adult male in the back of the vehicle and ordered him to exit the vehicle, as they believed that he had a warrant for his arrest. The adult male disputed the fact that he had an active warrant and refused to exit the vehicle.
Miller then broke a rear window and dispensed pepper spray into the vehicle, due to the male’s defiance. The adult male began to exit the vehicle, however, he continued to defy directives once outside of the vehicle. While Troopers attempted to handcuff the man, Miller placed his boot on the adult male’s head, pushing it into the ground covered in broken glass. Miller deployed his taser multiple times while other Troopers attempted to handcuff the man.
Woodruff then deployed his K9 as the man appeared to be beginning to comply with commands from officers and continued to order the K9 to bite the man.
The man was ultimately placed in handcuffs and provided first aid care by two other Troopers until EMS arrived and took him to an area hospital for further treatment of significant injuries. A short time later, Troopers learned that the adult male did not have an active warrant and was not the person that they were looking for.
A standard review of the use-of-force and application of a K9 was conducted by the supervisors of the Troopers and K9 program, which is a required practice whenever there is a use-of-force or K9 application by a Trooper. Based on this initial review, potential policy violations were discovered and DPS leadership was alerted. DPS Commissioner James Cockrell ordered the Alaska Bureau of Investigation to conduct a criminal investigation into the incident. Once that investigation was complete, it was referred to the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions for independent review and to determine if criminal charges should be filed. On August 14, 2024, the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions filed criminal charges on both officers, in Kenai District court.
“The Alaska State Troopers hold ourselves to extremely high standards of conduct and accountability. Any allegation of criminal conduct by a Trooper or employee is aggressively investigated, so that we can hold the employee accountable for their actions, just as we would for any person accused of committing a crime in Alaska,” said Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell. “Let me be clear, the actions of these two individuals are not acceptable to me, not in line with our training and policy, and I know it is not acceptable to the Alaskans we serve. While today is an unfortunate day for the Alaska State Troopers, I hope Alaskans will continue to place their trust in the hundreds of Troopers who honorably serve Alaskans every day, by ensuring public safety across the state.”
The charges are only allegations and are not evidence of guilt. Both Miller and Woodruff are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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