Pubdate: Sun,  6 Oct 2002
Source: Register-Herald, The (OH)
Contact:  2002 The Register-Herald
Website: http://www.registerherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2594
Author: Leslie Collins

HELRIGGLE FAMILY, FRIENDS PROTEST DEATH

October 2, 2002 - Nearly 30 people marched in front of the Preble County 
Courthouse for hours on Monday, Sept. 30, protesting the death last Friday 
of 23-year-old Clayton Helriggle.

Helriggle was shot and killed during a drug raid near West Alexandria on 
Friday, Sept. 27.

Since the incident, and as an investigation by Montgomery County 
authorities proceeds, two differing accounts have emerged. Officers at the 
scene said Helriggle approached with a handgun. Family and friends contend 
he held only a blue glass of water in his hand when a Preble County officer 
fired a single fatal round from a shotgun.

The protest on Monday brought to light much of the family's belief about 
what happened. Helriggle's family and friends carried poster board signs 
professing "They murdered my friend" and "God won't forget." Several 
carried blue cups, signifying what they believe the officers saw.

Sharon Helriggle and her husband were at home Friday evening, Sept. 27, 
when they heard a "frantic" call for CareFlight come across their police 
scanner -- just hours after their son Clayton had left for his home and a 
nap, she said.

She would later find out the shooting victim needing the medical helicopter 
was Clayton.

"My husband and I went up there," Sharon said Monday morning during the 
protest. "The cops had the house completely surrounded -- they were rude 
and kept telling us to get back."

She said they stayed, watching from a field, for nearly two hours before 
Investigator Dave Lindloff told them "Clay" was dead.

"He went to take a nap," Sharon Helriggle repeated what those inside the 
farmhouse said they witnessed.

"And when he heard all the commotion, he started down the stairs."

According to Sharon, Clayton's best friend was also on the stairwell, and 
claims the 23-year-old had only a glass in his hand.

"They said 'drop' and then, bang! -- he just shot him," the grieving mother 
said their son's friend reported.

The friend, whom Sharon identified as simply "Ian," stayed with Clayton.

"I thank God Ian was with him," she said. "He held him until he passed."

Clayton did have a gun, according to his mother, but it was not in his 
hand. She said it was in his bedroom.

"Clayton was the kindest, gentlest soul, and would do anything for anybody 
he knew," she said.

"Nobody would ever have thought this could happen, but it did."

The Helriggle family and friends contend the officers on the team did not 
knock to announce their presence.

"They could have knocked on the door," Sharon Helriggle said, "and the boys 
would have walked out to them.

"Not one of them has a criminal record," she said. "There may be some minor 
things, but nothing worth this. He just mowed him down."

Another individual living in the house was injured during the incident, 
according to officials, who noted it may have been from flying glass. 
Sharon Helriggle and family believe the wounds appear to be from "buckshot."

Helriggle family members appeared before the Preble County Commissioners on 
Monday morning, requesting the board help them by supporting the calling of 
a grand jury in the case. Commissioners explained, they had no official 
capacity in such matters, as both the PC Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney 
are separate elected entities.

Officials from the Preble County Sheriff's Office and the Montgomery County 
Sheriff's Office were to meet Monday afternoon concerning the investigation 
into the incident.

According to a press release issued by the Montgomery County Sheriff's 
Office, PC Sheriff Tom Hayes requested the MCSO to investigate the shooting 
which involved an officer on Friday, Sept. 27.

"At the conclusion of the investigation, the matter will be turned over to 
the Preble County Prosecutor's Office for review," the release stated.
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