Case number: OII-2025-0001
Olympia, Wash. (Jan. 17, 2025) – The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has identified the officer involved in a use of deadly force incident as Centralia Police Officer Ruben Ramirez.
Officer Ramirez was hired in September 2001 and previously served as a reserve police officer beginning in 1998. He is assigned to the Patrol Division as a K9 Officer.
The Centralia Police Department notified OII that about 11 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2025, one of their officers contacted a man at an apartment complex in the 400 block of North Ash Street. The department reported a physical altercation between the responding officer and the man. The officer fired his weapon, shooting the man, who died from his injuries.
The Lewis County Coroner’s Office will release the name of the deceased pending scientific identification.
OII has set up a tip line and is asking anyone who may have information regarding this incident to call 564-250-1706. All information provided to OII is subject to public disclosure, as required by RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act.
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The Washington State Legislature created OII in 2021 to conduct independent and unbiased investigations of deadly use of force by law enforcement. It works with an 11-member advisory board that reviews and provides input on agency policies. To view this on the web, visit oii.wa.gov/news-and-updates.
For media inquiries, contact Hector Castro, Director of Communications and Community Relations, at hector.castro@oii.wa.gov or 360-870-8115.