E.O.W. 01/01/98
Officer Kevin Lamm
Officer Kevin Lamm was shot and killed after responding to check on a reportedly suicidal man with two other officers.
On January 1, 1998 Officers John Kevin Lamm, age 26, 3 year FPD veteran; Matthew Soden, age 26, 3 year FPD veteran; and Charles Williams III, age 38, 1 year FPD veteran, responded to 2218 Mercier Avenue to remove Joey DeWolf from the residence. DeWolf was drinking heavily and was making comments about suicide. The complainant/victim minimized DeWolf’s condition and state of mind.
Officers attempted to make contact with DeWolf for 15 minutes prior to making entry into the residence. All the officers entered into the residence to attempt contact with DeWolf. DeWolf had set up an ambush situation by hiding in the corner of his apartment with a 7.62 X 39 AR-15 rifle. DeWolf had 400+ rounds of ammunition in two locations in his apartment. As they were making entry to the house, they were fired upon by DeWolf.
DeWolf fired 18 rounds at the officers. Officer Soden was struck in the head and knocked to the floor. Officer Williams was shot at by DeWolf but was able to get out of the residence and escorted DeWolf’s fiancé, who was standing at the top of the stairs, out of the area to safety. Officer Lamm saw Officer Soden go down and returned 10 rounds of fire at DeWolf, striking him 3 times. DeWolf fired 13 rounds at Officer Lamm striking him 5 times, 4 of which were fatal shots. Officer Soden was shot a second time in the arm while trying to assist Officer Lamm. Officer Williams then returned to the stairway and Officer Soden was able to escape from the doorway of the residence.
After a 90 minute standoff the tactical team entered the residence and found the suspect dead from a self inflicted gunshot wound.
Officer Lamm was wearing a Second Chance Monarch vest at the time of the ambush. Three rounds penetrated the vest.
Officer Lamm's heroism will never be forgotten. He had a chance to flee the residence but elected to defend Officer Soden, who was attempting to get to cover after being shot in the head. Officer Lamm fired 10 shots at the suspect before being struck and incapacitated by the suspect’s fire. Officer Lamm died saving Officers Soden and Williams lives.
Officer Lamm had served with the Fairbanks Police Department for 3 years. He is survived by his wife (Holly), whom he had married only 12 days prior to his murder, his son (Elliot), parents, and two brothers.
