Crime

Bethel’s police department may have a new chief, but the same problems of not having enough people to police a city of 6,400 remain. Police Chief Richard Simmons arrived a few months ago after years in Texas with the Fort Worth Police Department. He looks at Bethel and sees a small town with big city problems.

Alaska State Troopers are investigating the death of a Tununak woman. Troopers say that 56-year-old Josephine Link was found unresponsive in an open field near the coastal community. 

On Tuesday, June 30, a Bethel grand jury indicted a Quinhagak teenager on charges of sexually assaulting and killing a 10-year-old girl.

On June 20, Alaska State Trooper Jerry Evan, age 50, died in Bethel after sustaining life-threatening-injuries at his home. Investigators have concluded that Evan’s death was “non-criminal in nature.” According to an update by troopers, Evan died from apparent self-inflicted injuries. 

An Alaska State Trooper died in Bethel on June 20. According to a dispatch from the troopers, Jerry Evan, age 50, sustained life threatening injuries at his home before he was pronounced dead at the hospital at around 4:04 p.m. Troopers say that Evan’s family has been notified.

The new Bethel police chief was in town June 9. Richard Simmons talked with several residents in a “meet and greet” session right before the city council meeting.