Sometimes those who protect the public need a helping hand from those they serve.
That was the case on Dec. 20 of last year when officers from the Sedona Police Department were involved in the department’s second officer-involved shooting of the year.
On that day, SPD responded to the Sedona Airport regarding three suspects that had entered the secured air operations portion of the facility and then stole an airport truck.
Officers Stephen Willadsen and Kevin Hudspeth and Sgt. Casey Pelletier subsequently contacted the three suspects outside a parked vehicle located in the front parking lot of the airport terminal.
“The suspects were uncooperative when contacted, refusing to identify themselves and comply with the officer’s commands,” SPD Chief Charles Husted told the Sedona City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 9. “One of the male suspects, Michael Bergsma, then fled on foot back into the airport terminal. Officer Willadsen gave chase after Bergsma while Officer Hudspeth and Sgt. Pelletier remained with the other two suspects.”
Willadsen pursued Bergsma through the airport terminal and then over a retaining wall on the backside of the airport building. Bergsma then turned and reportedly attacked Willadsen, trying to pull a shotgun loaded with less-than-lethal rounds from Willadsen’s grip.
As Willadsen then tried to draw his service handgun, while also maintaining a grip on his shotgun, he and Bergsma fell to the ground, Husted said. Bergsma then switched his focus to trying to take the officer’s service weapon. With Willadsen on his back and Bergsma on top, the officer continued his struggle to fight off the suspect, leading to the discharge of his firearm at Bergsma.
“The gunshot did not deter Bergsma as he continued to fight Officer Willadsen over control of Officer Willadsen’s service weapon,” Husted said.
Pelletier then arrived on foot and deployed his Taser as Bergsma continued to fight with Willadsen.
“This is where Bradley Viereck stepped up in a significant way to assist Officer Willadsen and Sgt. Pelletier,” Husted said.
Viereck, an employee of the airport, had witnessed the foot pursuit that went through the airport terminal. He saw Bergsma run out of the terminal building and went to the back door to make sure it was locked.
“When Viereck got to the door, he could hear screaming,” Husted said. “He looked through the mail drop slot and could see Bergsma and Officer Willadsen wrestling on the ground for Willadsen’s handgun.
“Mr. Viereck then heard the discharge of the firearm and observed Be rgsma cont inuing to fight with Officer Willadsen. He observed Sgt. Pelletier come to assist and witnessed the discharge of the Taser on Bergsma.”
After the use of the Taser, Viereck saw Willadsen and Pelletier still attempting to gain control and place Bergsma in handcuffs. He asked the officers if they wanted him to sit on Bergsma’s legs and they said “Yes.” He did just that until Bergsma was handcuffed and taken into custody.
“I very much appreciate Mr. Viereck for stepping up to assist our officers during such intense circumstances,” Husted said. “His willingness to get involved and bravery helped resolve a violent encounter, thus preventing any additional injuries from occurring.”
For his efforts, Husted presented Viereck with a Certificate of Commendation for his selfless actions.
“Thank you so much, we appreciate your service, help and assistance,” Mayor Sandy Moriarty said during the meeting. “Not everyone would take that chance.”
