Boden Umpherville passed away in April. (Submitted photo/ FSIN)

By Nigel Maxwell

Searching for answers

Year in Review: SIRT investigates after man tased by police, passes away in hospital

Dec 28, 2023 | 5:00 PM

As 2023 draws to a close, paNOW is taking a look back on the most important and impactful stories of the year, as selected by our reporters and editorial staff.

A man who was tased multiple times by members of the Prince Albert Police Service, and passed away in hospital, is currently the subject of an investigation by the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT).

Boden Umpherville, 40, who was described by his family as kind and compassionate, had been lying in a coma for over three weeks, before being taken off life support.

Concerning the incident from early April, a video posted to social media, and shared hundreds of times, showed multiple officers outside a black car, struggling with someone inside. At one point, the vehicle accelerated forward and rammed head-on into a parked police vehicle.

“Get out of the car,” one of the officers could be heard yelling, as a struggle continued.

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The sounds of someone crying can also be heard, but it’s unclear whether it’s coming from the person in the car or a bystander.

A screen shot from the video shared on social media. (Facebook)

As this was occurring, the car remained in drive. To get Umpherville out of the car, officers took the driver’s door right off. Several weapons were used by officers including a conductive energy device, collapsible batons and pepper spray.

Police released few details about the incident, but initially explained the black Dodge Avenger was reported stolen by its owner. However, according to details released later, among the three people inside the car was the registered owner. A loaded handgun was also recovered from the incident scene and secured as an exhibit.

According to court documents obtained by paNOW, Umpherville was facing several charges in connection to the incident including possession of a loaded, restricted firearm, assaulting a police officer, and being at large on a release order.

At the time, he was on bench warrant status, having failed to show up for a scheduled court appearance on Jan. 5.

The outstanding charges from the Saskatoon and Prince Albert areas included driving while prohibited, possession of property obtained by crime, and multiple breach-related charges. His earlier release conditions included both a curfew (10 p.m. to 8 a.m) and not being anywhere near a gun.

According to the FSIN, doctors said that Boden having no heart beat for 20 minutes contributed to his comatose state.(FSIN)

Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has been asked to review it.

Created on Jan. 1 of this year, its job is to examine the conduct of the police and said they will release a report within 90 days of the end of their investigation.

Prince Albert police have also indicated plans to investigate the actions of the man leading up to his arrest.

In a statement provided by the Prince Albert Police Association, they offered their full support to the members involved.

“We have full support for the SIRT organization and in their investigation. We cannot comment on the incident itself but want the public to know that they can have full and continued confidence in all police members in Prince Albert.”

As of the publishing of this article, there have been no further reports from SIRT or the Prince Albert Police Service.

Family members including Verna Umpherville, Boden’s mother, his adopted brother Chase Sinclair, brother Darry Umpherville and FSIN Vice Chief Edward Dutch Lerat spoke to media about their concerns. (screenshot/paNOW)

Public criticism of the police was very visible. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

The incident sparked several protests in Prince Albert, as well as a news conference by the FSIN.

Charmaine Umpherville attended one of the protests outside the Prince Albert Police Service building and told paNOW Boden took care of those around him.

“Boden was a person to look after everybody else. He was very willing to do so and make sure everybody was protected” she said. “He made sure there was no violence toward anybody that he met.”

Charmaine stressed it was important for her to do what she could to make sure officers were held accountable for their actions.

“He did not deserve that. No one deserves violence and murder,” she said.

“We want justice obviously. We don’t want hidden facts, we want it to be exactly what it is,” said Chase Sinclair, Boden’s adopted brother. “We would expect that it would be timely – like fast – accurate, true, honourable and to the cause so that the cause is fixed.”

(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

In April 2020, Boden Umpherville received a three-year sentence, for his role in the death of Duane Brett Ledoux.

While Umpherville was not the one who shot and killed Ledoux, he had been in the house where gang members had gathered and assisted with Ledoux’s “minute” beating he received.

Umpherville entered guilty pleas to assault and participation in a criminal organization. With credit for time spent in remand, Umphervile had about 70 days left to serve at the time of the 2020 sentencing hearing. In addition to his prison sentence, Umpherville was ordered not to possess or own a firearm for life.

Chase Sinclair explained that Umpherville had changed his life since then. This includes speaking with multiple youths about his past and the way he was working to better himself. Sinclair expressed further frustration that people tend to focus more on Boden’s past and less on the person he had become.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell