By Laura Zuckerman
Idaho Falls Register
SALMON, I daho — Idaho State Police are investigating the death of Kari Stephanishen of Salmon, who died from injuries she suffered while in police custody.
Stephanishen was detained Wednesday by state, Lemhi County and Salmon officers after a stop for traffic violations led them to suspect that the woman was in possession of illegal substances, authorities said.
The 44-year-old Stephanishen, on state parole for past drug convictions, was handcuffed and placed in the back of a Salmon patrol car while officers searched her vehicle.
During that search, officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, Lemhi County Sheriff Lynn Bowerman said in a statement.
When the officers returned to the patrol car, they found Stephanishen unresponsive.
""It appeared (she) had used a seat belt in an attempt to harm herself,"" according to Bowerman’s statement.
Emergency medical personnel and officers tried to revive Stephanishen, who later was transported to Steele Memorial Hospital in Salmon and then airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.
Stephanishen died at EIRMC on Thursday without regaining consciousness, family members said. An autopsy is planned.
The Lemhi Sheriff’s Office and Salmon Police Department asked state police to conduct an investigation into the incident even though ""there is nothing to indicate any wrongdoing on behalf of the officers,"" Bowerman said.
Salmon Police Chief K.V. Felker did not respond to requests for comment.
Joseph Stephanishen, the dead woman’s father, wants some answers. He said the incident raises questions about the actions and training of officers.
“A routine traffic stop doesn’t result in an unnecessary death,” said Stephanishen, a retired Lemhi County deputy. ""Something was not handled right.""
Stephanishen said law enforcement officers understand that they must safeguard those they take into custody.
""You have taken responsibility for their lives when you have them in the patrol car,"" he said. ""I want someone to be responsible for what happened to my daughter.""
Idaho State Police Capt. Danny Bunderson said his office is investigating the incident but declined to discuss the probe at this point.
Once the investigation is completed, the information collected will be turned over to the Lemhi County prosecutor, Bunderson said.
All of the officers involved in the incident remain on active duty.
Witnesses said Kari Stephanishen’s hands were handcuffed in front of her body instead of behind it, as she sat in the patrol car.
Restraining a suspect’s hands behind his or her body is recommended - but not required - to restrict mobility and help ensure officer safety.
Rory Olsen, a basic training manager with Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training, said there are no rigid rules about how long someone can be left unattended while secured in a police vehicle.
Olsen said there also are no rigid rules on restraining a suspect’s hands behind or in front of his or her body.
Although the aim is to either release or arrest and transport a person in custody as quickly as possible, circumstances drive the procedure, he said.
It is not uncommon - for a variety of reasons - for someone secured in a patrol vehicle to be left unattended for periods of time, Olsen said.
Similarly, circumstances dictate whether a suspect will be handcuffed in front or back.
""Each situation is very dynamic; you can’t just cookie-cut everything,"" Olsen said.
For Stephanishen’s grieving father, separating rumors from fact has become an added burden.
""I don’t know what to believe,"" he said. ""I still have trouble even believing she’s dead.""
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