Alaska Troopers Beat, Stun, and Used Dog in Wrongful Arrest, Charges State

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — In a case that has raised concerns over police conduct, two Alaska State Troopers face charges of assault following a violent encounter with a man who was mistakenly identified as a suspect. Sergeant Joseph Miller and canine handler Jason Woodruff have been charged after the incident that took place on May 24 in Soldotna, a community located southwest of Anchorage.

The troopers were attempting to apprehend Garrett Tikka, who was wanted for not serving a short jail sentence related to driving with a revoked license. However, they failed to verify the identity of the individual inside an SUV parked at a local dog park, ultimately confronting Garrett Tikka’s cousin, Ben Tikka, instead.

The incident escalated quickly, resulting in Ben Tikka suffering severe injuries. According to filed charges, he was left bloodied after being pepper-sprayed, beaten, and bitten by a police dog. He required surgery to treat lacerations and also sustained a fractured shoulder and head cuts, along with an open dog bite on his arm.

At a news conference held to discuss the charges, officials confirmed that the body-worn camera footage of the incident will be released only after the criminal case concludes. James Cockrell, the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety, shared his distress over the incident, stating, “I was totally sickened by what I saw.” His experience in the department spans over three decades, and he noted that nothing had ever compared to this event.

Attorneys representing the troopers were not immediately available for comment, and there has been no attorney publicly listed for Miller. While Miller is a veteran officer with 14 years on the force, Woodruff has served as a state trooper for 16 years. Both were charged with misdemeanor assault and are scheduled to appear in state court in Kenai on September 10. Following the charges, they have been placed on administrative leave as the department reviews their past operational conduct.

The events leading to the assault charges were initiated by a report of potential illegal camping. When the troopers arrived, they were informed that the SUV was linked to their target, Garrett Tikka. However, instead of confirming who was inside the vehicle, the officers ordered the occupant, who was Ben Tikka, to exit and informed him of an outstanding warrant against Garrett Tikka.

Upon being confronted, Ben Tikka denied any involvement and did not exit the vehicle promptly. In response, Miller broke a rear window with a baton and discharged pepper spray into the vehicle. Once Ben Tikka exited, Miller physically assaulted him, delivering a kick to his shin, a punch to the back of his head or neck, and subsequently, standing on his head. The assault included multiple uses of a stun gun, one of which inadvertently struck another officer who was attempting to handcuff Tikka.

As he lay face-down on the ground with his hands behind his back, Ben Tikka suffered several bites from the police dog, Olex, which had earlier bitten its handler, Woodruff. Despite Tikka’s pleas to stop the dog, Woodruff commanded it to continue, leading to more aggression from Olex even as Tikka complied with orders.

It was only after he was transported to a hospital that another officer confirmed Ben’s true identity. Initially, he had been arrested on several counts including fourth degree assault for allegedly putting the troopers in fear of physical injury; however, the case later faced dismissal from the Kenai District Attorney’s Office.

Commenting on the broader implications of the incident, Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore noted that while excessive force claims against law enforcement officers have been made in other parts of Alaska, he had not encountered similar charges against state troopers during his 25 years of service.

Miller stated in his testimony that had Tikka exited the vehicle as directed, the use of force would have been unnecessary. When questioned whether the actions taken by the officers were justified, he maintained his belief that they were reasonable under the circumstances. Meanwhile, Woodruff claimed that he had adhered to his training protocols during the encounter, recalling that Ben Tikka had exited the vehicle in an agitated state.

This troubling incident reflects ongoing concerns regarding police tactics and accountability, raising questions about the use of force and verification procedures in law enforcement operations.