Deputies detain man at post office

UPDATED 11/10/2023

Deschutes County Sheriff's Deputies detained an adult male on a police officer hold in the parking lot at Sisters Post Office on Thursday afternoon, November 9. The man was apparently experiencing mental health issues.

According to Lt. Chad Davis, the post office and The Lodge at Sisters were briefly on lockdown until the incident was resolved. The man was transported via ambulance to the hospital.

Lt. Davis reported that deputies were dispatched to a welfare check on Thursday November 9, at 3:49 p.m., regarding an older male who was walking northbound on North Larch Street, who appeared disoriented and in need of assistance. A deputy located the man walking on North Larch Street, and offered assistance to him. The man allegedly responded by making threatening movements toward the deputy and implying he was armed. The deputy moved away from the male and requested assistance from other deputies who responded to the area. Deputies monitored the male from a distance. 

According to Davis, it appeared the male was experiencing a medical and/or a mental health event.  Medics from Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District were requested to respond to the area and stage.

Deputies continued to monitor the male as he continued to walk toward The Lodge and the Sisters Post Office. 

"Due to the male's threatening behavior, the deputies notified both The Lodge and the Sisters Post Office to lock down their buildings for the safety of the public," Davis reported. 

The man continued toward the Post Office and deputies attempted to contact him utilizing a loud speaker, and a high-risk contact with weapons displayed.

According to Davis, the man turned toward deputies in a threatening manner and again implied that he was armed. The male turned away and kept walking toward the Post Office.  Deputies then entered the Post Office parking lot and told citizens to leave the area. 

"The male then charged at the deputies again and it was clear he did not have any weapons in his hands,' Davis stated.

Davis said that deputies attempted to negotiate with the man, but he turned away to attempt to enter the post office. Deputies took him to the ground and into custody on a police officer mental hold.  Medics responded to the scene to evaluate the man, who was transported to the hospital for a medical and mental health evaluation. 

No deputies or citizens were injured during the incident, Davis reported. The Lodge and the Post Office were notified they could resume normal operations, after being closed down for about 20 minutes.