The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deputy who fatally shot a suspect allegedly charging him with a knife on June 5 as Cpl. Bradford Anderson, a nine-year veteran of the office. Anderson remains on paid administrative leave, as is standard protocol, according to a press release. The other deputy at the scene did […]
William Honsal
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More Information Emerges in Fatal Police Shooting in Bear River
As information continues to trickle out regarding the June 5 fatal shooting of a 29-year-old Simi Valley man by a Humboldt County sheriff’s deputy, a picture is emerging of the man who allegedly rushed a deputy with a knife having been in prolonged medical distress. According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to […]
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Sheriff Announces ‘Strong Opposition’ to Serial Rapist’s Pending Release
Editor’s note: Be advised, this story covers violent sexual assaults and may be disturbing to some readers. Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal released a letter to the community at noon today announcing his “strong opposition” to the proposed release of a man once known locally in the late 1980s as the “Ski Mask Rapist” to […]
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‘Exceptional Work’ Allowed Eligible Humboldt Jail Inmates to Cast Ballots
While a CalMatters report last year found that many of the 73,000 or so California residents held in county jails who are eligible to vote face barriers in casting ballots, local officials say that wasn’t the case in Humboldt County in November. When addressing the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors in advance of its certification […]
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Sheriff Says Deputies Fired 32 Times in April Shooting, Releases Video
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has released more information — and video — from the April 18 critical incident that saw deputies shoot two suspects, leaving them in critical condition. As required under a new state law, the sheriff’s office today released video from the investigation — including footage pulled from a nearby surveillance camera […]
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Sheriff’s Lieutenant Arrested After Allegedly Pulling Gun During Domestic Disturbance
A Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant has been arrested on charges of brandishing a firearm and making criminal threats during a domestic disturbance in McKinleyville. According to a press release, Lt. Samuel David Williams, 46, turned himself into the jail today after an arrest warrant was issued in the case, which stems from a March […]
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Sheriff Releases Names, Details in Pine Hill Shootings
Editor’s note: Be advised this story contains descriptions of domestic violence that readers may find disturbing. Skip to the bottom for information about local domestic violence services. According to Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal, Russell Albers’ girlfriend had made the decision to leave him and their abusive relationship behind. Speaking to the Journal the day […]
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The Clintons Swing Through Humboldt, Reportedly Filming Docuseries
Former U.S. Secretary of State, Senator, Democratic Presidential Nominee and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton spent some time in Humboldt County over the weekend, and even hit up a local food truck. Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal confirmed that Clinton was in town for a couple of days and left Sunday, saying his department provided […]
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Sheriff: Police Spent 15 Minutes Using ‘De-escalation Techniques’ Before Fatal Shooting
Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said officers had been using de-escalation techniques for 15 minutes with an armed suspect on Mad River Road this morning when he brandished the firearm and was fatally shot. Flanked by local California Highway Patrol command staff and Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn, and standing before a small group of […]
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Lawsuit Alleges Eureka Police Used Excessive Force During George Floyd Protest
A local woman has filed a federal lawsuit against the county of Humboldt and the city of Eureka, alleging police officers violated her constitutional rights when they shot her with less-than-lethal projectiles as she peacefully marched while protesting the May 25, 2020, murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. In the suit filed […]
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Sheriff’s Office Brings on ‘Less Lethal’ Bean Bag Shotguns (with Video)
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is working to have every patrol car outfitted with shotguns converted to shoot bean bags rounds rather than bullets. The guns, which were already owned by the department, are being added to an already existing store of less lethal tools already carried by deputies, such as pepper spray and tasers. […]