By: Matt Scher, [email protected]
Fort Dodge, IA – A Webster County Deputy involved in a shooting on April 7 has been allowed to return to active duty after an investigation has ruled the shooting was justified.
In a press release, the Webster County Sheriff’s office says that the shooting was found to be justified in an outside investigation by Sac County Attorney Ben Smith as announced on Thursday, April 16.
The deputy involved is identified as Matt Miller, with one and a half years of law enforcement experience with the Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Miller will now be allowed to return to active duty upon completion of a phycological review, according to departmental policy.
The press release states, “Based on the totality of the evidence—including body-worn and dash camera footage, witness statements, dispatch records, and forensic reports—the Sac County Attorney’s Office concludes that Deputy Matthew Miller’s use of reasonable and deadly force on April 7, 2025, was justified under Iowa Code 704.1 and 704.3. His actions were reasonable, proportionate, and necessary to neutralize an imminent threat posed by Shawn Marshall. Not only did Deputy Miller’s actions meet the legal requirements for using deadly force, but he also demonstrated professionalism and extraordinary situational awareness throughout the incident.”
The suspect in the investigation has been identified as 41-year-old Shawn Ian Lee Marshall of Gowrie. Marshall is still hospitalized from injuries sustained in this incident after he shot while eluding deputies on April 7. After leading law enforcement on a pursuit and eventually being stopped, Marshall allegedly said he was reaching down to the passenger seat area and stated he was getting his firearm, before making a shooting motion toward a deputy through the back window of the vehicle before being shot in his right hand.
Criminal charges are pending from the Webster County Attorney’s Office for Marshall.