Medals Awarded In Controversial Gunfight Deputy Hit By Gunfire, But Incident Was Called Self-Defense

Four officers involved in a November gunbattle with two brothers were awarded medals of valor Friday for risking their lives in the line of duty.

“The negative things always seem to get pointed out, but when someone goes out of their way and puts their life on the line it seems to go by lightly,” Bonner County Sheriff Chip Roos said, while pinning medals on the officers.

“These men displayed valor in a highly dangerous situation and they deserve their recognition.”

Bonner County deputy John Givens, who was wounded in the arm during the gunfight, was also decorated with a Purple Heart. It’s rare in law enforcement, Roos said, to receive the Purple Heart. It’s typically bestowed on officers killed in the line of duty.

“He gets to wear his standing up and I’m glad the rest of these men get to wear theirs standing up,” Roos said.

The officers awarded medals included deputies Bob Howard, Jeff Rusho and Idaho State Police officer Terry Ford. They received a standing ovation from more than 50 people, including about 30 officers, packed into a courtroom.

The ceremony was delayed for months while a board of law enforcement officers reviewed the controversial shooting incident. It began when officers were called to an arson and aggravated battery incident north of Sandpoint.

When the officers arrived, they heard a gunshot from a darkened house occupied by Ian Higgins, 24, and Reyhan Higgins, 21. Reyhan Higgins fired another shot and struck Givens in the arm. The bullet went through his flesh and struck his bulletproof vest, which saved his life, Roos said.

Givens fired back and wounded Reyhan Higgins in the hip and the gunbattle ended. Prosecutor Tevis Hull never filed any charges against Reyhan Higgins, prompting an outcry from law enforcement officers.

Hull said the deputies never properly announced themselves as law enforcement and failed to use the flashing lights on their police vehicles. Hull said he had no case and the Higgins brothers fired their weapons in self-defense.

“Whether or not charges proceeded is another issue,” Roos said. “These officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public and deserve to be recognized.”

The Higgins family has filed a tort claim against the county for the shooting. The case is still pending.

A panel of officers and a group of experts in police tactics reviewed details of the shooting for the county. Roos said they found “absolutely” no error in how the officers acted or performed their duties.

“What they did they did right and that is the issue,” the sheriff said.

County Commissioner Steve Klatt, who has fought to reduce the sheriff’s department budget, also praised the officers Friday. “I’m sometimes looked at as not being the biggest fan of law enforcement, but I do appreciate everyone in uniform in this county,” Klatt said. He also pledged to help officers get better equipment to keep them safe and to protect the public.

“Unfortunately I fear we are going to see more of these situations,” Klatt said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HONOR ROLL The officers awarded medals included deputies Bob Howard, Jeff Rusho and Idaho State Police officer Terry Ford. They received a standing ovation from more than 50 people, including about 30 fellow officers.