PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Tigard police officer who shot and killed a man in January has been hired by the Port of Portland Police Department while a criminal investigation continues.
The Port of Portland confirmed to KOIN 6 News that Gabriel Maldonado started working at the agency April 19. According to the Tigard Police Department, Maldonado shot and killed Jacob MacDuff while responding to a domestic violence call.
The department said MacDuff was in his car with a knife when officers tried to arrest him. Tigard police said at the time MacDuff refused to surrender and an officer shot him during the struggle.
In a comment to KOIN 6 News, Port of Portland said it believed Maldonado “had been cleared of any wrongful actions and had returned to duty.” Maldonado then joined its department in April 2021.
However, a spokesperson said the department “now understands that the Washington County DA has not completed their criminal investigation. Officer Maldonado has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the results of the Washington County District Attorney’s investigation. Our hiring process was not as complete as it should have been in this case and we’re working together to improve it going forward.”
KOIN 6 News contributed to this story by The Associated Press.