An Anchorage police officer involved in a deadly shooting Saturday night in Mountain View has been with APD since 2007.
Before Boaz Gionson joined the force, he was a popular student and football player at Bartlett High School, graduating in 2003. That same year he was also voted most likely to succeed by his classmates.
According to police, Gionson drew his service weapon and fatally shot 26-year-old Shane Tasi Saturday, during a Mountain View confrontation in which Tasi aggressively approached him with a stick. The shooting remains under investigation.
Gionson's friends and co-workers say he is a well-respected patrol officer.
APD spokesperson Lt. Dave Parker said he spoke with Gionson Tuesday.
“He seems to be doing well, but it’s a hard thing for any officer," Parker said. "We dedicate our lives to saving people's lives, and when we have to use deadly force it’s a letdown for us. It has an emotional toll, it has an effect on the officers.”
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