FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Case Number: OII-2025-0012
Olympia, Wash. - The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) has identified the officers involved in a use of deadly force incident that occurred in Port Angeles.
The three involved officers are all with the Port Angeles Police Department (PAPD).
They are:
- Sgt. David Arand, patrol sergeant, 22 years with PAPD.
- Officer Whitney Fairbanks, patrol officer and K9 program coordinator, 10 years with PAPD.
- Officer Harold Balderson, Downtown Resource Officer, 10 years with PAPD.
The fatal encounter occurred around 1:20 p.m. Monday, November 17 in Port Angeles. The deceased has been identified as Matthew Tyler Charles, age 39.
OII is asking anyone who may have information regarding this incident to call the OII Tip Line at (564) 999-3608. 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 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, Communications Director, at hector.castro@oii.wa.gov or 360-870-8115.