Cowlitz Tribal Police Chief Dies Amid Sex Crime Probe

Charles Gardiner, interim chief of the Cowlitz Tribal Public Safety Department, died by apparent suicide on April 23 after being found inside a Vancouver, Washington home. Authorities initially responded to a reported burglary but later clarified no break-in occurred; Gardiner fled after a physical altercation with the homeowner and was discovered dead in his car from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has opened a separate criminal investigation into allegations that Gardiner committed sex crimes against a minor. Gardiner previously served in the U.S. Army and as a Washington State Patrol trooper. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, officials have released limited details. Both Gardiner's death and the alleged sex crimes remain under active investigation.