Deputy involved in Adams County rancher’s death thanks supporters, asks them to pray for healing

One of the Adams County deputies who was involved in a fatal encounter with a rancher Nov. 1 is speaking out on Facebook.

Brian S. Wood, 31, and Cody W. Roland, 38, are being investigated for their involvement in the death of Jack Yantis, 62.

State and federal investigators have been trying to determine what happened with Yantis and the deputies after a car struck the rancher’s bull on U.S. Highway 95 in front of Yantis’ house.

A dispatcher called Yantis to go to the scene to handle the bull, which was still alive. Yantis’s wife and nephew, who witnessed the incident, said Yantis was aiming his rifle at the back of the bull’s head to kill it when one of the deputies grabbed Yantis from behind and swung him around, then the other deputy opened fire. All three men fired their weapons, Idaho State Police has said.

Brian Wood’s father, Steve, spoke to the Statesman about how the incident has weighed heavily on his son.

On Monday, Brian Wood posted a long message on Facebook.

“The last five weeks have been the most trying of my life. I’d elaborate, but I’ve come to realize I don’t need to because I’m not experiencing this alone, I’m not hurting alone. You have shown me that you love me, that you trust me, and that you are hurting with me,” the message begins.

No information about the deputies’ account of what happened has been released. Wood indicates in his Facebook post that lies have been spread about what happened that night.

“I know what happened. You know what happened. Hopefully soon, the world will know what happened,” Wood wrote.

He concluded the post by asking supporters to pray for peace and healing for all the families affected.

This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 8:30 AM with the headline "Deputy involved in Adams County rancher’s death thanks supporters, asks them to pray for healing."