Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Dispatch Text:

Update: The Alaska State Trooper that discharged their firearm on Monday, August 23, 2021 in Anchor point is identified as Trooper Bruce Brueggeman, a six-month veteran of the Alaska State Troopers. Trooper Brueggeman has 32 years of additional law enforcement service in the lower 48. Trooper Brueggeman is receiving medical care at an Anchorage area hospital, and is currently in good condition. 

Update 1600: The Alaska State Troopers have remanded 60-year-old Anchor Point resident Bret Herrick at the Homer Jail on charges of Attempted Murder and Assault 1. His bail will be set at arraignment.

Update 8/24 1100: On August 23, 2021, at approximately 1307 hours, an Alaska State Trooper assigned to Anchor Point observed 60-year-old Anchor Point resident Bret Herrick at a business in downtown Anchor Point; Herrick was known to have multiple warrants out for his arrest. The Trooper contacted Herrick to attempt to arrest him on his outstanding warrants. During the contact, Herrick produced a handgun and fired on the Trooper, striking him multiple times. The Trooper also discharged his service pistol during the incident. As an additional Trooper arrived at the scene, Herrick fled the area on foot. Law enforcement from across the region, Department of Public Safety aircraft assets, and Alaska State Troopers Special Emergency Reaction Team members from across the state descended on Anchor Point to search for Herrick. Search efforts were ongoing throughout the day and into the evening. On August 24, 2021, at approximately 0840 hours, an Alaska State Trooper SERT team located Herrick near his Anchor Point residence while following up on a tip. Herrick was arrested without incident for his four outstanding arrest warrants, and additional charges are anticipated for yesterday's incident.

The injured Trooper is currently in fair condition, receiving medical care at an Anchorage area hospital. The name of the Trooper that discharged their service weapon will be released after 72 hours in accordance with department policy. The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is conducting a thorough investigation of the incident. Once their investigation is completed, it will be forwarded to the Alaska Department of Law's Office of Special Prosecutions for review.

Update 8/24 0900: This morning at approximately 0840 hours, the Alaska State Troopers arrested 60-year-old Anchor Point resident Bret Herrick in Anchor Point at a residence. The Alaska State Troopers would like to thank the Anchor Point community for the valuable information that was provided that resulted in Herrick’s arrest. There will be an increased law enforcement presence in Anchor Point today as Troopers continue their investigation in the incident that occurred yesterday. 

Update 5 pm: Bret Herrick was last seen wearing work boots, dark pants, knee-length leather trench coat, black tee-shirt, and a black do-rag on his head. Herrick is 5'10", 200 pounds bald, and has brown eyes.

Troopers are asking drivers to not pick up hitchhikers in the Anchor Point area. 

The Trooper has been medevaced to an Anchorage area hospital for additional medical treatment. The Trooper is currently in fair condition. 

Original: On 8/23/2021 at approximately 1300 hours an Alaska State Trooper assigned to Anchor Point was shot in the downtown Anchor Point area. Alaska State Troopers are currently looking for 60-year-old Anchor Point resident Bret Herrick in connection with this incident. If you see Herrick or have information about his current location, do not approach him and call 911 immediately. Herrick is considered armed and dangerous. The injured Trooper is receiving medical care at an area hospital, his current condition is not known. Troopers are asking the public to avoid the Anchor Point area as they search the area.