ISP Dispatchers’ Investigative Work Leads to Swift Arrest in Interstate 90 Shooting

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – On January 8, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a female driver urgently called the Idaho State Police (ISP) Regional Dispatch Center to report someone had shot at her while she was driving on Interstate 90. The dispatcher directed her to a safe location to wait for law enforcement. When a trooper arrived, he confirmed a bullet hole in the passenger side of her vehicle. The only evidence available was a blurry photo of the suspect’s vehicle, which a male drove.

Despite the limited information, ISP Dispatchers Jamielyn Rupe, Parker Cooley, and Haley Shields immediately put their investigative skills to work. They meticulously reviewed video footage using multiple internal tools, searching for a vehicle that matched the image. While there were several potential matches, further analysis indicated the timing was off. Dispatcher Shields’ input was crucial in redirecting the focus, leading Rupe to discover a vehicle traveling eastbound on I-90 at the Beck Road camera.

Through extensive research, Rupe traced the registered owner to an older female from Cocolalla. Although the owner did not match the suspect description, a review of prior reports revealed she had a son with a history of erratic and violent behavior. Reports indicated he had previously exhibited paranoid tendencies, made threats of violence, and engaged in reckless driving. Recognizing the significance of the information, Rupe provided the information to Troopers Daniel Taylor and O’Brien.

Acting on the intelligence, ISP troopers, in coordination with the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, responded to the son’s address. During the investigation he admitted to the crime and was taken into custody. In a later interview, he also confessed to a long history of brandishing firearms and engaging in violent acts.

Reflecting on the case, Corporal Daniel Taylor emphasized the critical role of the dispatch team,

“Without the incredible work done by the dispatchers, there was no way we could have identified the suspect vehicle and ultimately arrested a suspect within an hour. It is invaluable to have experts on your team who use tools, resources, and sheer investigatory insight to impact a case like this!”

Corporal Taylor further noted that without Rupe’s investigative efforts, law enforcement would not have been able to identify the suspect based solely on a blurry image. “Given the male’s long history of violence and threats, he would have done this again with potentially fatal results,” Taylor said. The swift apprehension of the suspect likely prevented a more serious incident, demonstrating the crucial role of the dispatch team in public safety.

Jamielyn Rupe received the Distinguished Achievement Award for her exceptional work, while Parker Cooley and Haley Shields were awarded Letters of Commendation for their outstanding teamwork in compiling and analyzing crucial data.

This case highlights ISP personnel’s dedication, skill, and quick thinking in ensuring public safety. Their commitment to excellence resulted in the swift apprehension of a dangerous individual, preventing further harm to the community.

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Posted in District 1 - Northern Idaho, District 2 - Central Idaho, District 3 - Western Idaho, District 4 - Southern Idaho, District 5 - Southeastern Idaho, District 6 - Eastern Idaho