On a Saturday evening in Boise, Idaho, a routine traffic stop turned into a tragedy that would claim the life of a young deputy. Tobin Bolter, a 27-year-old Caucasian male, had been with the Ada County Sheriff's Office only since January, bringing with him seven years of law enforcement experience. On the night of April 20, 2024, just before 9 p.m., Bolter pulled over a vehicle near the intersection of Overland Road and South Raymond Street.
As he walked toward the driver's side window, he was shot before he ever had a chance to speak with the driver.
The suspect fled the scene, leaving the critically wounded deputy behind. A citizen who witnessed the shooting immediately called 911 and administered CPR until medical help arrived. Bolter was rushed to a local hospital, but succumbed to his injuries the following morning, marking the first line-of-duty death in the history of the Ada County Sheriff's Office.
A manhunt for the shooter began immediately. The suspect's vehicle was found unoccupied about half an hour after the shooting. Law enforcement tracked the suspect, identified as 65-year-old Dennis Mulqueen, to a location on South Jackson Street. Mulqueen had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. Boise Police officers, including a special operations unit, attempted to take him into custody peacefully. After a standoff lasting for some time, Mulqueen fired at the officers shortly after midnight. A Boise officer returned fire, striking Mulqueen. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
