Man who shot CHP officer on I-5 in Tehama County identified

Julie R. Johnson, Corning Observer, Calif.
·2 min read
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Oct. 16—The man who was in a shootout with a California Patrol Officer on Interstate 5 near Proberta on Sunday has been identified as Joseph Michael Pate, 39, of Pittsburg.

Pate was reportedly stopped on the southbound shoulder of the freeway around 11:38 a.m. south of Flores Avenue due to a disabled vehicle. when the CHP officer was attempting to assist him.

According to the Tehama County Sheriff's Office, the CHP officer stopped to assist Pate and as the officer approached, Pate pulled out a rifle and shot at the officer, who returned fire with his duty weapon reportedly striking the suspect multiple times.

When the officer went down, Pate allegedly stole the officer's patrol car and drove off traveling southbound on I-5, TCSO said.

South of Thomas Creek and north of Finnell Avenue, Pate reportedly collided with a big-rig causing it to overturn down an embankment on the west side of the freeway.

The patrol vehicle allegedly went off the west side of the freeway into a grassy field where it caught fire.

TCSO reports Pate surrendered without incident and was rendered aid for multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Enloe Medical Center in Chico where medical staff pronounced him deceased, TCSO stated.

The CHP officer, who suffered serious injuries in the shooting, was transported by medical helicopter to Mercy Medical Center in Redding where he underwent a successful surgery and is now recovering, said CHP Officer Alex Read of the CHP Northern Division Office.

According to reports, the driver of the big rig suffered minor injuries when the truck overturned.

The Tehama County officer involved shooting protocol has been initiated and the TCSO is conducting a criminal investigation into Pate's actions and motives. Investigating the officer's involvement in the shooting is the Tehama County District ATtorney's Office and the CHP is conducting it's own internal investigation.

Anyone with information or video recordings of the incident is asked to contact the TCSO at 530-529-7920.