OGDEN, Utah — A review conducted by his own department found that a Roy police officer was justified in returning fire during a January drug raid that left another member of a narcotics task force dead.
Five other officers were wounded in the shootout with the homeowner, who was suspected of growing marijuana.
Roy Police Chief Greg Whinham called officer Jason Vanderwarf a hero after the internal review reported by the Deseret News (http://bit.ly/JSu7kn ) found that Vanderwarf ducked bullets to help his wounded colleagues.
He was shot once in the hip. Vanderwarf was the officer who knocked on Matthew David Stewart's door and repeatedly announced, "Police, search warrant!"
He shot twice at Stewart but missed both times.
Stewart says he was acting in self-defense. He's charged with murder, seven counts of attempted murder and growing marijuana.
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Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com