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43 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, December 13, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 9, 2003 Medford man shoots himself in front of two police officers A 44-year-old Medford man shot himself to death early Monday in front of two Medford police officers called to the man’s home on a domestic-violence case. James D. Wheeler died at the scene of the 1:20 a.m. shooting in his residence in the 1800 block of South Peach Street, according to the Medford Police Department. Medford police called to the house about 1:15 a.m. found Wheeler in an apparent physical confrontation with a woman inside, police said. After Wheeler refused to open the door, officers Curtis Whipple and Brenda Garich broke into the house to stop the assault, Medford police Lt. Mike Moran said. Wheeler left the room and leaned into an open closet, while keeping his back to the officers who had their guns drawn and were ordering Wheeler to show his hands, Moran said. Wheeler then fired one shot into his face from a .22-caliber rifle and died almost instantly, Moran said. The officers did not see the gun until the shot was fired, Moran said. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times