Suspect In CHP Officer's Shooting Was Reportedly Depressed, Left Note
ELK GROVE (CBS13) -- The man shot and killed by an Elk Grove Police officer after he reportedly fired at a CHP officer was depressed and lonely, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
In a press conference Monday afternoon regarding the Sunday evening shooting, the sheriff's department said it found a note from Richard Bisbee, 68, in which he indicated he was despondent and had no one to talk to. The sheriff's department said he was in poor health and taking medication.
"It appears his life was unraveling," Sgt. Jim Barnes said during Monday's press conference. "There might have been some sort of emotional breakdown. We have in possession right now a letter that appears to be written by Mr. Bisbee that states that he has contemplated taking his life."
A longtime friend of Bisbee's, Bill Sherman of Elk Grove, also told CBS13's Checkey Beckford on Monday that Bisbee was an alcoholic, divorced and estranged from his adult children, who live in Oklahoma. He said Bisbee was likely drunk when he shot at the CHP officer, hitting him twice, after a traffic stop at Elk Grove Boulevard and Highway 99 on Sunday at about 5:30 p.m.
Bisbee lost control of his car after shooting at the officer and was then surrounded by officers and eventually fatally shot by an Elk Grove policeman.
"Personal problems and depression and all that stuff," Sherman said of his friend of 30 years.
Bisbee had a concealed weapons permit and had worked as a private investigator. He also was licensed by the state to work as a security guard.
During the press conference, Sheriff Scott Jones said the weapon used Sunday night was not the one Bisbee was licensed to carry. Jones said he reviewed the application, which was issued under former Sheriff John McGinness, and found nothing out of order.
"Likely there would be nothing that would keep me from issuing it if it were under my tenure," he said.
Bisbee's friend Sherman said he had a weapons permit for years and liked guns. But he said Bisbee "was troubled" after losing a trucking business to bankruptcy several years ago and had money problems, among the other issues.
"He had money at one time and he lost it," Sherman said.
The CHP officer was taken to Kaiser Permanente South and expected to recovery. His name and the name of the Elk Grove officer have not been released.
