Detectives continue to investigate the officer involved shooting that occurred on Sunday, Aug. 6 in Knights Ferry. The deputy involved in the shooting has been identified as Christopher Hendee. He was hired by the Sheriff’s Office in November of 2016, and he has been a peace officer for almost five years.

At about 11:25 p.m., Deputy Hendee contacted two men in a suspicious vehicle on Sonora Road near the 50’s Roadhouse Diner. The driver, a 35-year-old man, was detained and seated in the back seat of the deputy’s patrol car. Deputy Hendee contacted the passenger, 28-year-old Russell Garcia of Twain Harte, CA at the vehicle. After a brief conversation, Garcia fled running northbound on Sonora Road. Deputy Hendee was able to catch up to the man, and a physical confrontation ensued.

During the physical confrontation, Deputy Hendee discharged his department issued firearm. Garcia was struck by gunfire and transported to the emergency room. He is still in the hospital recovering from his gunshot wounds and is expected to survive.

Deputy Hendee had minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital and later released. Detectives are not releasing any further details on the shooting. The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office is conducting an independent review of the incident.

If you have any information on this investigation, call Detective Hickman at 209-525-7042.

If you have any tips, you can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing “Tip704” plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward.