An Oakdale policeman was forced to discharge his weapon in response to a domestic incident turned violent on March 11, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) reported. Officer Andrew Dickman, with three years on the force, fired his department-issued handgun during the confrontation and is currently on administrative leave, as per standard procedure.
The occurrence began when Oakdale police were summoned just before midnight after a woman sought help. Devione Malone, 25, of Oakdale, initially fled in a vehicle with the woman and a child but returned after being pursued by law enforcement. According to official accounts, Malone fired at officers upon arrival, prompting Officer Dickman to return fire. Malone continued to fire shots from within the home until he ultimately surrendered following a standoff. Remarkably, no injuries were reported among the officers, the woman, or the child.
Charges are now looming for Malone, who walked away unscathed, according to the BCA. Recovered from the scene were spent cartridge casings and a handgun. The involved officers, including Dickman, were equipped with body cameras, and squad camera footage is also available. The BCA is conducting a thorough review of all video evidence as part of an active investigation into the shootout.
The Oakdale Police Department has turned over the investigation to the BCA, who will compile its findings and forward them to the Washington County Attorney’s Office. There, officials will review the case but, notably, the BCA will not make any charging recommendations. Once the BCA completes its inquiry, a clearer picture of the full scope of this incident will emerge, potentially informing decisions about charges and subsequent legal actions.
