William Bowman, 35, was killed on September 12, 2000, during a SWAT training exercise at Camp Rilea, a National Guard compound north of Seaside, Oregon. A single small-caliber, high-velocity round struck him in the head; an autopsy the following Thursday found he died instantly from that gunshot wound. The round was fired by a fellow deputy who believed his rifle had been loaded with blanks but in fact a live round was chambered.

At the time, deputies were expected to load their own magazines with blanks after arriving at Camp Rilea, and supervisors checked only magazine labels rather than individual rounds. No arrests were made; the shooting was ruled an accident. The incident prompted review of weapons and training policies, and former SWAT commanders urged stronger safety measures such as simunition and designated safety officers to inspect weapons and ammunition before exercises.

Does anyone have information about Bowman’s service, training practices at Camp Rilea around 2000, or contacts who might remember the department’s policy changes after this incident?