MISSOULA – The name of the Missoula police officer involved in a fatal shooting on November 18 has been released.
Sgt. Travis Welsh said Officer Joseph Burger has been placed on administrative leave with pay.
On November 18, Jenessa Cooper, 49, was killed in a confrontation with officers at a home in the 600 block of Blaine Street.
Burger has been with the department for about three years.
His leave is pending further information received through an investigation currently being conducted by the Montana Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigations.
Welsh said an internal review of the incident is also being conducted.
(November 18, 2018) One person died on Sunday morning in an altercation with Missoula Police.
The incident happened at approximately 8:30 a.m. when Missoula Police responded to a report of a disturbance with a gun at a residence in the 600 block of Blaine Street.
Missoula Police Department spokesman Sgt. Travis Welsh said responding officers were advised that a shot had been fired inside the residence.
Sgt. Welsh said in a news release that “upon officer’s arrival, they encountered a person with a gun and shots were fired. No officers were injured; however, a suspect is deceased at the scene.”
The shooting investigation has been turned over to the Montana Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation.
No further information is available at this time. We will update you when we learn more.
