The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has released the names of a man and a Walker police officer at the heart of an alarming episode of force. In a recent incident dated August 8th, Officer Kent Cleveland, a veteran with 36 years on the force, was implicated in a confrontation that led to gunfire and an injury.
Following the incident, the officer, who discharged his service weapon, has been placed by the Walker Police Department on critical incident leave. According to the BCA's initial findings, which echoed across the calm of Walker's residential streets, Officer Cleveland responded to the scene after being hailed by a resident troubled by the sight of a scantily clad figure who was trespassing and toting an unknown object.
Upon reaching the 500 block of Fifth Street, the officer spotted Dillon Ray Kloehn, 31, clad in boxers, a detail that mirrored the resident's account. The situation unraveled into a chase when Kloehn, found with a knife, rejected officer attempts at communication and dashed into the local Dollar General store. The chase, fraught with tense moments, saw Kloehn threatening store staff and hurling objects at Officer Cleveland while brandishing the weapon.
The conflict reached a fever pitch as Kloehn pursued the officer outside, knife in hand, prompting Officer Cleveland to fire a single shot that struck the assailant in the arm. After the shot, reeling from the impact, Kloehn fled the immediate scene but was quickly apprehended. Following the altercation, officers present rendered aid before Kloehn was sent to the hospital. Now released, he faces charges of robbery and assault. The officer's body camera captured the event, and the footage is under review by the BCA.
As part of the oversight process, the BCA has taken the reins of the investigation into Officer Cleveland's application of force. With objectivity steering the investigation, no recommendations will flow from BCA once they submit their findings. Instead, the fate of Officer Cleveland's actions will rest in the hands of the Cass County Attorney’s Office for review.
