Former East Bay police officer fatally shot in Idaho

The Idaho Statesman reported that police shot and killed the 65-year-old suspect.

A sheriff’s deputy in Idaho who once was a Pleasant Hill police officer died Saturday after being shot during a traffic stop, authorities said.

“We joined in mourning with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office in the loss of prior Pleasant Hill Police Officer Tobin Bolter,” the Pleasant Hill Police Department wrote on social media Sunday evening. “Deputy Bolter was senselessly shot while working to protect the community he so happily and dutifully swore to protect.”

Authorities in Idaho announced Bolter’s death at a press conference Sunday. He joined the Ada County Sheriff’s Office in January after working briefly with the Meridian Police Department in Idaho.

According to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Bolter made a traffic stop about 8:55 p.m. on Saturday and at some point during the stop, a suspect opened fire. A citizen who witnessed the shooting called 911 and performed CPR until medics arrived, authorities said. Bolter, 27, died after being taken to a hospital.

The Idaho Statesman reported that Ada County Sheriff’s Office deputies later shot and killed the 65-year-old suspect, saying that he fired at deputies when they tried to take him into custody.

Bolter attended high school in Walnut Creek, and served as a cadet for the city’s police force, the Walnut Creek Police Department said on social media. State employment records show Bolter worked as a Pleasant Hill police officer from 2018 to May 2022 after completing his field training.

“Our hearts and prayers are with Deputy Bolter’s wife and family, as well as the Ada County Sheriff’s Office as they face this challenging time,” Pleasant Hill police wrote.