Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Dispatch Text:

UPDATE July 18, 2024: 

The Alaska Wildlife Trooper who discharged his firearm during the July 15, 2024, incident in Juneau is identified as:

• Sergeant Branden Forst, a 12-year veteran of the Alaska Wildlife Troopers currently assigned to the Juneau AWT post.

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is continuing its thorough investigation into the incident. Once their investigation is complete, it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions.

ORIGINAL: On July 15, 2024, at 1:11 pm, the Juneau Police Department was following up on an assault that occurred on July 14, 2024. An officer contacted 35-year-old Juneau resident Steven Kissack, during the contact Kissack produced a knife and refused to follow orders from the officer. The Juneau Police Officer requested additional law enforcement officers in the area to respond for assistance, and a Juneau-based Alaska Wildlife Trooper and several JPD Officers responded to the scene. Officers negotiated with Kissack for several minutes encouraging him to drop the knife he was brandishing, however, he continued to refuse commands. Juneau Police Officers deployed less-lethal bean bag-style rounds to encourage Kissack to comply with the orders of the officers. Kissack continued to refuse commands and charged officers while brandishing the knife. Multiple law enforcement officers discharged their weapons, striking Kissack. Despite lifesaving efforts by law enforcement on the scene and EMS, Kissack was declared deceased at a Juneau area hospital. No law enforcement officers or bystanders were injured. Kissack’s body will be sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. His next of kin have been notified.

The Juneau Police Officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave. The Alaska Wildlife Trooper who discharged their weapon has been placed on 72 hours of administrative leave in accordance with DPS policy, and their name will be released in 3 days.

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is the lead investigating agency. They are responding to Juneau and will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Once their investigation is complete, it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions to determine if the lethal use of force was justified.