Special Agent Steve Peterson
The Forest City police officer who was shot during an altercation with two Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agents is now facing arson and burglary charges. The DCI has identified the police officer as 34-year-old Thaddeus Ellenbecker.
He was interviewed on Thursday at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s office by DCI agents Chris Callaway and Steve Peterson about an incident on October 1st at the Forest City police station. Following the interview, Ellenbecker went home.
Iowa DCI assistant director Charif Paulson said Callaway and Peterson also went to Ellenbecker’s apartment to check on his welfare.
A struggle ensued outside the home as the agents found Ellenbecker armed with a handgun. Ellenbecker was shot and wounded. He was treated for a “non-life threatening” injury at a hospital. Paulson says Ellenbecker was charged Friday with second-degree arson and second-degree burglary.
Special Agent Chris Callaway
She says Ellenbecker admitted to the DCI agents that he set a fire inside the Forest City police station on October 1st, with the intention to destroy or damage the building. He also admitted taking a rifle from a police car. No other details about the case are being released. DCI agents Callaway and Peterson are on paid administrative leave – which is standard procedure for an officer involved shooting.