Sheriff Ryan outlined why law enforcement is restrained from immediately breaking into a private home in a situation like this, including 4th amendment protections from unreasonable searches of property, safety to both citizens and law enforcement officers, and the county liability for damaged property. Deputies must satisfy a list of criteria and get a supervisor’s approval to break in. The sheriff also noted that many times when deputies do enter a home, they find the person in question asleep, or having taken an unexpected trip. Ryan walked through a detailed chronology of the Casebeer situation, noting the many steps deputies took to try to reach family, friends or neighbors who could have had information about Casebeer’s whereabouts or medical condition.
Included in the 4-hour time period, the sheriff’s office received report of a live grenade found at the other end of the county, and one deputy had to leave the scene to respond that emergency. According to Ryan, when all other avenues were exhausted, deputies attempted but failed to pick a door lock, and finally broke into Casebeer’s home, where deputies found the deceased Casebeer. According to the coroner, Casebeer had died the previous night. In answer to audience questions about the event, Ryan expressed his condolences to Casebeer’s family and friends, and said Sheriff’s deputies’ first goal is to help the community.
He said the Sheriff’s office is looking into ways to address concerns about seniors living alone, including a “hide-a-key” notification that could be added to address information available to 9-1-1 dispatchers when an emergency call is made. He also said the Sheriff’s office is working on a brochure on the 9-1-1 response system for the public, law enforcement and medical response agencies. For anyone calling 9-1-1 for a welfare check, Ryan recommended having as much information as possible available, including specific suspicious circumstances, existing medical conditions, family or neighbor contacts, locations of keys to the home, and family vehicles.
