Investigation underway after man dies when deputies attempt to assist medics

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Just before 9:00 p.m. on September 12, deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) were called to a residence on Rainbow Ridge in Placerville. El Dorado County Fire paramedics were reportedly having difficulty getting a combative patient to a hospital.

When deputies arrived on scene they contacted the medics and 49-year-old Odie Prettyman. The man was in obvious medical and mental distress but refused to be transported by medics, according to EDSO Sgt. Anthony Prencipe.

Deputies attempted to get Prettyman to comply with medics and told him that he was going to have to go to the hospital because of his medical and mental state.

According to Prencipe, Prettyman picked up a silver metal pen, raised it and slashed toward the deputies. Deputies grabbed Prettyman’s hand and removed the item. At that time, the man began to show signs of medical distress. Deputies began to render aid and placed him onto the medic’s gurney. Deputies assisted with CPR and medics transported Prettyman to Marshal Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

EDSO initiated critical incident protocol for this death investigation. This protocol activates a multi-agency investigative team comprised of the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney, CHP, Placerville PD, and South Lake Tahoe PD. Their goal is a complete and impartial investigation into the death.

Cause of death for Prettyman is under investigation by the Critical Incident Protocol team and by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Unit. Next of kin notifications for Prettyman have been completed.