Cottonwood police officers responded the 1400 block of E Birch Street in Cottonwood at 7:22 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, for the report of a male subject who had been observed demonstrating erratic behavior and threatening others with physical violence
Residents in the area reportedly advised officers that this man’s erratic behavior had allegedly been escalating over the last few weeks. Officers identified this subject as Cottonwood resident, 57-year-old Jeffrey John Thomas.
Due to Thomas’ reportedly erratic and unusual behavior, the Mobile Behavioral Crisis Team was called to assist with a mental health evaluation.
Based on the Crisis Team’s on-scene evaluation of Thomas, they ultimately filed a petition which authorized the detention of Thomas for further evaluation.
Cottonwood police officers attempted to serve this order on Thomas. After multiple attempts to get Thomas to exit his residence and his refusal, police was decided at that time to allow Thomas to de-escalate and attempt contact with him later that day.
Later that evening around 7:45 p.m. officers were called to the area of E. Birch and S. 15th Street for a report of a suspicious male subject who was reportedly “charging” vehicles passing by him.
Responding officers were further informed the male suspect was holding what appeared to be a flagpole.
Officer Matt Strickland was one of the first officers on scene.
The male subject was discovered to be Thomas, who was attempting to conceal himself behind a bush when they arrived.
Initially Strickland believed Thomas was carrying a flagpole. Thomas immediately ran toward his residence where officers followed. After a short foot pursuit Thomas began making erratic statements saying they were there to “kill” him.
Thomas was disguising a shotgun with what appeared to be some type of makeshift flag. This wasn’t discovered until Thomas shot at Strickland, striking him in his left arm.
Officers were able to take cover and began exchanging gunfire.
Verde Valley SWAT responded to the scene and within an hour Thomas surrendered without further incident.
Based on Jeffery Thomas’s actions leading up to the shooting and statements made to investigators, police currently believe Thomas was attempting and intended to ambush the arriving officers.
Thomas was booked into the Yavapai County Detention Center in Camp Verde. He was charged with attempted murder in 2nd degree, aggravated assault on law enforcement, aggravated assault, unlawful discharge of a firearm and endangerment.
He is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.
Officer Matt Strickland sustained non-life threatening but serious injuries to his arm and is currently doing well and should be released from the hospital soon.
Officer Strickland is a six-year veteran of the Cottonwood Police Department. Due to these officer’s heroic actions they likely saved the lives of citizens, according to a statement from the Cottonwood police.
