Attorney General Launches Investigation Into Fatal Police Encounter in Oswego County

The New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Miles Dignean, who died following a police encounter on March 21 in the Town of Constantia, Oswego County.

According to initial reports, officers from the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police responded to a residence that afternoon to perform a welfare check and serve Dignean with an order of protection. During the encounter, authorities say a struggle occurred in which Dignean allegedly struck a state trooper in the head with a metal object. An Oswego County deputy then discharged his weapon, striking Dignean.

Dignean was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The Office of Special Investigation, created under New York Executive Law Section 70-b, is tasked with examining all incidents in which a police or peace officer may have caused the death of a person, regardless of whether the officer was on or off duty, or whether the individual was armed, in custody, or incarcerated. If preliminary review finds that an officer may have been involved in causing the death, OSI initiates a full investigation.

Officials noted that the details released are preliminary and may be subject to change as the investigation continues.