Jackson Police Officer Subdues Armed Suspect in Incident Near Local Hospital
A solo Jackson Police Officer encountered a male subject yelling for assistance on May 18, 2024, around 11:00 p.m. The incident unfolded near the intersection of Court Street and Highway 88, behind the Jackson Liquors building. The officer approached the scene and activated spotlights, prompting the emergence of the individual, identified as 46-year-old Joel Hand, who was holding a rifle and vocally agitated.
Law enforcement backup was promptly requested as the officer engaged in de-escalation tactics. Hand initially dropped the firearm, but disregarded commands to halt his movement, eventually charging at the officer before returning to retrieve the rifle. Subsequently, Hand proceeded to cross the highway towards Sutter Amador Hospital, prompting a lockdown of the medical facility.
A second Jackson Officer arrived, and together they contained Hand near the Jackson Creek area until the arrival of an Amador County Sheriff’s K-9 unit. Despite repeated commands to surrender, Hand remained uncooperative. The deployment of the Amador County Sheriff’s K-9 “Zidan” facilitated Hand’s apprehension without further incident.
Upon investigation, it was determined that the firearm brandished was a pellet gun. Hand was then transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries before being booked into Amador County Jail.
While the encounter concluded without lethal consequences, authorities commended the officers for their restraint in handling a potentially perilous situation. Acknowledgment was extended to the Amador County Sheriff’s Department for their swift response and utilization of K-9 Zidan, underscoring the valuable role of K-9 units in law enforcement operations.
For further inquiries, the Jackson Police Department may be reached at 33 Broadway Jackson, CA 95642, by telephone at 209.223.1771, via fax at 209.223-3403, or by email at cinfo@ci.jackson.ca.us. Additional information is available on their website at http://ci.jackson.ca.us. As reiterated by the department, their commitment remains focused on addressing the diverse needs of the community and advancing collaborative efforts to safeguard and enhance quality of life for all constituents.
