North St. Paul police officer Richard ‘Rick’ Crittenden, 57, was killed and a backup officer from nearby Maplewood was wounded during a confrontation with suspect Devon Dockery, 34, at 8:30 a.m. Monday morning at Aspen Village apartment 101 in the 2200 block of Skillman Avenue just south of the intersection of 7th Avenue and McKnight Road. The alleged shooter was also killed in the exchange of fire.
A woman placed a call to 911 requesting assistance for a violation of a protection order. Crittenden, a 9 year veteran of the police force, was dispatched to do a welfare check to ensure the safety of the caller. He requested backup which was provided by a female officer from the larger neighboring police force in Maplewood.
The responding officers entered the first floor apartment and a struggle ensued with the suspect. Crittenden was shot as was the female Maplewood officer, who then shot the suspect. The Maplewood officer was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul where she was treated and released for what was described as a gunshot wound to her wrist.
The bodies of Crittenden and Dockery were transported to the office of the Ramsey County Medical Examiner where they will undergo autopsies.
Dockery had a history of criminal convictions, including disorderly conduct, making terrorist threats and a 2003 conviction for violation of an order of protection. According to North St. Paul police chief Tom Lauth, officers had been dispatched to the residence for other domestic disturbances, the latest incidents occurring just 10 days ago and again yesterday.
Dave Tomalla, chief of the Maplewood Police Department, is currently withholding the identity of his officer. He reported that the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will be the lead agency investigating the case.
View a mugshot of Devon Dockery and KSTP coverage of the police press conference Monday afternoon.
Press conference video
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