During the evening of June 16th, an Allegan County Sheriff’s deputy followed a swerving silver Chevy Impala along 26th Street. The traffic stop ended with the shooting death of motorist Joseph Nagle.
A Michigan State Police investigation reveals the sequence of events. It begins with the deputy smelling marijuana in the car and a cellphone playing a video on the driver’s lap. Nagle exits the car for a field sobriety test.
The 22-year-old from Comstock Park, became agitated insisting he didn’t do drugs and that he was a delivery driver. He began yelling he had bad anxiety while walking back toward the Impala.
The deputy called for backup then a fight broke out. The investigation indicates the deputy absorbed 15-20 hits to the temple and jaw along with three to five head-butts.
The deputy stated he was losing consciousness and feared for his own safety. That’s when he fired a single shot striking Nagle’s chest. An autopsy concluded that was the cause of death. The toxicology report indicates cocaine and THC in Nagle’s system.