MARQUETTE, MI-- A Marquette County Sheriff’s deputy will not be charged in the shooting death of an Ishpeming Township man.
Prosecuting Attorney Matt Wiese completed a review of the incident, which happened the morning of June 9.
Deputy Keith Romback was dispatched to the Silver Street residence of Clifford Tucker, 68, who had reportedly been making suicidal statements. At the scene Tucker grabbed a shotgun and advanced toward Deputy Romback, who repeatedly told Tucker, “Don’t do this”. As Tucker advanced he continually said, “Just shoot me”. Deputy Romback discharged his weapon four times, fatally wounding Tucker.
Wiese says under Michigan law a person has the right to use force or even take a life to defend himself under certain circumstances. He says evidence in the case supports the conclusion that Deputy Romback was in danger of being killed or seriously injured by Tucker, and although the deputy eventually received backup, Romback was the only officer at the scene at the time of the shooting.
Wiese says the case is a tragic incident resulting in the loss of life, but not a criminal matter.
