Biographical Info
- Age: 26
- Tour of Duty: 4.5 yr
- Badge Number: 434
Incident Details
- Cause of Death: Gunfire
- Date of Incident: August 21, 2001
- Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
- Suspect Info: Apprehended
Details
Deputy Telen was shot and killed investigating a burglary call at a home in Dunlap. Residents of a neighboring home had called deputies after they were surprised to find a man hiding in a tree house on their property. The man first asked for assistance, but then fled suddenly. Contact was made with relatives of the home's owner who stated the owners were out of town. When the deputies arrived they located an open window. As they entered the house to locate the suspect (who had armed himself with several guns he found in the house), he opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Telen. The second deputy retreated and called for backup. Responding deputies where able to get Deputy Telen out of the home and transport him to a local hospital where he passed away due to his injuries. The suspect was apprehended after a five-hour standoff.
Deputy Telen had been with the agency for 18 months and had also served three years with the Ontario, California, Police Department. He was survived by his expectant wife and two young daughters. Deputy Telen's son was born on October 1, 2001, and named after his father.
