Keosauqua, IOWA — On October 16, 2012, at approximately 11:00 AM, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched after receiving numerous 911 reports of a male subject wearing a military uniform and armed with a rifle walking westbound along Hwy 2, east of Cantril, Iowa. The subject was making obscene gestures at passing motorists.
Van Buren County Chief Deputy Brad Hudson and Deputy Jon Tharp responded to the multiple reports of a man with a gun. When they arrived at the subject’s location, the male subject was observed with a rifle and was ordered to drop his firearm multiple times. The subject turned toward the deputies’ position and raised the firearm toward the deputies. Due the subject’s actions, Deputy Tharp fired one shot at the subject resulting in his death.
The subject has been identified as Robert M. Dooley, age 59, of Brighton, Iowa. On October 17, 2012, an autopsy was conducted by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause of death was a single gunshot wound.
Pursuant to Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office policy, Deputy Tharp has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of the DCI’s investigation. The DCI continues to investigate the incident and will submit the findings to the Van Buren County Attorney’s Office for review.
