By Linda Sutter – September 12, 2021

On August 25th, 2021 at approximately 0815 hours Robert Anderson began to record his thoughts on a video. He began to talk as he walked in the woods. His words in which he spoke were not of a coherent variety. His thoughts were scrambled and he could not focus on any particular point. He spoke of life and death.

On August 25th, 2021 Sheriff Deputy Officer Mulch reported for duty. Instead of his normal routine as a Bailiff at Del Norte County Courthouse he somehow ended up on patrol for the day. California Highway patrol officers who were on patrol on August 25, 2021 reported for duty and began their day of duties. All Officers are aware when they leave home there is a possibility that they may not come back home. Each one of the men and women in uniform who patrol our streets put their pants on one leg at a time, they all have families and understand the risk they take each time they wear that badge for the day. They hope for the best and prepare for the worse and do it because it was their calling to protect the public.

At 2:45 p.m. these Officers found themselves on Parkway with a man, Robert Anderson, who was irrational, carrying a huge knife, not a pocket knife, but a big knife. The Officers talked Robert Anderson in throwing down the knife on the ground. There were approximately 4 officers who kept their distance from Anderson, and trying to talk him into moving away from the knife. Anderson became irritated and belligerent. Instead of moving away from the knife, he stooped down, picked it up and started running fast towards an Officer with a knife held high above his head as though he wanted to stab the Officer.

Shots were fired. It was extremely fast, Anderson died.

Anderson had been given so much opportunity to comply with the Officers and he refused. There was no reasoning with Anderson at all. Sheriff Apperson arrived on the Scene. You could hear his concern for his Officer Mulch. He remained calm and demonstrated complete professionalism at the scene. The CHP Officers conducted first aid while the ambulance was enroute. And conducted their job as hard as it was for this moment with great concern for the individual who had been shot. The video’s released by the Sheriff Department stopped all the speculation occurring in the Community, this is by far the best thing they could do so the Community could see first hand what occurred. They all did their job and did it well. A justifiable shoot.

Sadly a life was taken, but the deceased made that choice. The Officer’s had to do their job. In this situation it was either them or him. Thank God none of the Officer’s were hurt at this chaotic scene. They were able to return to their families. However, don’t think they go unscathed. They had to do something they didn’t want to do but had no other choice, which wears on one’s psyche.