On September 3rd, 2016, an assailant entered the Fresno County Jail lobby and pushed his way to the front of the line and stated he wanted to see someone at the jail. He was acting erratically and when confronted the assailant pulled out a gun and started shooting at Officers. Officer Toamalama Scanlan, responding to the commotion came around the corner and was shot in the head and neck. The assailant retreated to a hallway before surrendering to Officers and was arrested. Officer Scanlan was transported to the hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery, and had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Officer Scanlan never recovered from his traumatic brain injury. For the next five years he underwent multiple surgeries and treatments. He was sent to a specialty program in Houston, Texas but was eventually transferred back to a hospital in Southern California. Officer Scanlan was never able to return home to his family and succumbed to complications from the injury on October 12, 2021.

Correctional Officer IV Toamalama Scanlan had served the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office for 10 years prior to being wounded and had served the Fresno County Probation office for eight years prior to joining the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.