Photo: Christopher Brockway
Originally published as a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office press release –
“On 01-16-2022 at approximately 8:19 AM, California Highway Patrol Officers requested assistance from the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office regarding a pursuit in Laytonville, California.
While responding, Sheriff’s Office Dispatch informed Deputies the driver had stopped in the 100 block of Branscomb Road. Deputies were advised the driver was refusing to obey any verbal commands and was threatening “suicide by cop”.
Deputies arrived on scene and identified the driver as Christopher Brockway, known from previous law enforcement contacts.
Brockway was recently booked into the Mendocino County Jail on charges of felon in possession of a firearm, forgery, possession of stolen property, conspiracy and identity theft.
Brockway had recently been granted a short term release pass from custody by a Mendocino County Superior Court Judge.
Brockway was ordered to surrender himself back to the Mendocino County Jail on 01-15-2022 by 8:00 P.M. and he failed to do so. This resulted in Brockway being wanted for escape from custody.
An original responding Deputy who was a crisis negotiator with the Mendocino County Regional SWAT Team arrived on scene and began speaking with Brockway in a attempt to get him to surrender peacefully.
Due to the “suicide by cop” statements Mendocino County Behavioral Health was contacted and asked to send a crisis worker to the scene. Behavioral Health was unable to send a crisis worker to the scene so the SWAT Team crisis negotiator continued communications with Brockway.
Based on previous history with Brockway and his recent firearm related arrest, the Mendocino County Regional SWAT Team was summoned to the scene. Many of the team members where off-duty and were called out to respond to the situation.
Verbal negotiations with Brockway continued for approximately three hours, asking for his peaceful surrender.
Brockway eventually exited his vehicle, however he continued to refuse to obey verbal commands.
Brockway attempted to walk back towards his vehicle where a knife was observed on the ground.
Based on the above circumstances, SWAT Team members deployed a 40mm less-lethal foam baton round which struck Brockway in the upper leg.
At this time Sheriff’s K9 “BO” was deployed and the canine bit Brockway in the arm, allowing SWAT Team members to quickly approach and safely place Brockway under arrest.
Brockway was later transported to a local hospital for medical examination/treatment and was determined to have a minor injury from the canine bite.
Brockway was ultimately arrested for Escape from Custody (4532 PC) and Resisting Arrest (148(a)(1) PC). ‘Charges will also be filed with the District Attorneys Office by the California Highway Patrol for potential charges related to the pursuit.
Brockway was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $90,000.00 bail.”
