WARM SPRINGS, Ore. -- A Warm Springs tribal police officer shot and killed a 22-year-old Madras man during a traffic stop late Sunday night, police said.
FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele identified the victim as Vernon Leroy Middleton, known to his friends and family as "Buddy." He was a 2006 graduate of Madras High School, online records indicate.

Family friend Misty Cox of Madras tearfully said late Monday that Middleton leaves behind two sons, ages 3 and 1, who "will never get to know him."

"We're all very saddened by his loss," Cox said, also offering thanks for the community's support. She said the family has no further comment at this time, so as not to interfere with the FBI investigation.

Two police conducted a traffic stop around 10:40 p.m. Sunday on the property of Warm Springs Forest Products, a brief news release stated.

Two people were in the car that was stopped, and the second occupant, a tribal member, was not injured, police confirmed to NewsChannel 21 Monday morning.
"A confrontation ensued involving an officer-involved shooting and the individual that was shot was a non-tribal member. He is deceased," said Stanley Suenaga, Warm Springs director of public safety.

One officer involved in the shooting sustained minor injuries and was taken to Mountain View Hospital in Madras, where he was treated and released. The other in the traffic stop was unhurt, Suenaga said.

Officers said the officer was placed on administrative leave pending the results of an investigation being conducted by the FBI, assisted by Oregon State Police.
Workers at the mill who showed up minutes after the police shooting said the car was smashed up onto a muddy embankment by the Deschutes River.
They also said police blocked off the surrounding area and worked more than 10 hours at the scene before towing away the car.