Grand jury declines to indict Polk County deputy who fatally shot man in Altoona

The Des Moines Register

A grand jury has declined to indict a Polk County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a Wisconsin man after a chase that ended in Altoona in July.

Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Phillips, 31, fatally shot a Wisconsin man following a police chase. Phillips is an 8-year veteran with the force.

Deputy Ryan Phillips, 31, fatally shot Isaiah Hayes, 25, of Ashland, Wisconsin, after a chase July 17 that began when he drove away from a traffic stop, authorities said.

Nearly three months after the shooting, authorities are again declining to say whether Hayes was armed, saying that making such information public could compromise an investigation.

Polk County Attorney John Sarcone said the grand jury declined to indict the deputy last week after hearing evidence for several days.

After that development, the sheriff's office launched its internal investigation, Lt. Rich Blaylock said. Phillips remained on administrative duty Tuesday, he said.

Isaiah M. Hayes, 25, of Ashland, Wisconsin, died Tuesday in an officer-involved shooting after he refused to pull over. Officials said he appeared to have a weapon but could not say whether he did.

Blaylock said he could not answer questions such as whether Hayes had a weapon until the internal investigation concluded. The sheriff's office has said Hayes "appeared" to have had a weapon.

Phillips pulled over Hayes about 3:45 a.m. in the 8700 block of Northeast 62nd Avenue. When deputies approached, Hayes put the silver Chevy Cruze in gear and fled the scene, authorities have said.

The chase ended in the 200 block of Fifth Street NW, where Hayes exited the car with what the sheriff's office said appeared to be a weapon in his hand. Hayes died at the scene after Phillips shot him.

Phillips, who has been a deputy for eight years, was the only officer to discharge his duty weapon. He was placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting.

The sheriff's office has not specified the reason for the initial traffic stop. Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted in the investigation.

Relatives of Hayes could not immediately be reached to comment Tuesday night.

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