On Friday, October 4, around 5:30 PM, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 phone transfer from Nevada County Sheriff’s. David Cash was reporting he was stranded in the forest near Stampede Reservoir and had been there for several weeks. Cash said he located his vehicle but was too weak to make it out and had no food or water. Cash also stated he was delirious, suffering from malnutrition and has heart problems.
Fire and medical personnel were dispatched along with a Sierra County Deputy. The Deputy was first to arrive and located Cash’s vehicle on a remote dirt road off of Henness Pass Road just northeast of the Stamped Reservoir. As the deputy exited his patrol vehicle he heard gunshots and the sound of several bullets passing by his head. As the deputy took cover behind his vehicle, a US Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer arrived. The two officers moved to cover behind trees and continued to hear gunshots. The officers retreated to a safe location, set a perimeter and awaited additional law enforcement personnel.
Additional Sierra County Deputies responded as well as officers from the Quincy and Truckee California Highway Patrol, the Redding Highway Patrol helicopter, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Washoe County helicopter (Raven).
Washoe County SWAT Team members were able to access the area in armored vehicles and safely move the patrol vehicles away from the scene. SWAT Team members with the help of the Raven helicopter were able to locate and move to the suspect’s campsite. Once there, SWAT Team members ordered Cash out of his tent. Cash complied with the orders and was taken into custody without incident. Cash was arrested for felony assault on a peace officer with a firearm and negligent discharge of a firearm. Cash appeared to be suffering from mental health issues and was transported to the hospital for evaluation and medical treatment.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the agencies involved in this incident, and we are thankful no one was injured.
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