Update on Wade Welch investigation

The death of 37-year-old Wade Welch in the Pima County Jail last August remains under investigation, with a report pending that will provide vital information about the incident before the Pima County Attorney’s Office can conduct a complete review of the incident.

Video footage taken from the body-worn cameras of corrections officers during the August 16 incident was made public shortly afterward, generating significant public and media interest in Welch’s death. While four months have passed since Welch’s death, PCAO still cannot discuss facts about the case.

However, our intent is to keep people informed on the process.

An investigation by the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team (PCRIT) is largely complete, but investigators are awaiting the final report, which Pima County Attorney Laura Conover and her prosecutors will need to review the case and decide on how to proceed.

PCRIT is a collaboration of several law enforcement agencies in Pima County that was formed to ensure that all cases involving law enforcement officers are appropriately investigated by agencies other than those employing officers involved in potential crimes.

County Attorney Conover has made a commitment to the community that PCAO will always take the time needed to fully investigate crimes and making decisions that are right and not rushed.

More information will be made available following the PCAO review.