Dawnette Eaton, 47, the woman who ran over Missoula police officer Deni Poling in an effort to escape arrest on a probation violation in January, was sentenced on Tuesday, October 22, to a total of 38 years in the Montana Women's Prison.
A group of Missoula police officers were singled out for special commendations Thursday evening in the city council chambers, including officer Deni Poling, who was run over by a fleeing suspect and gravely injured on January 7, 2013.
On January 7th, Missoula police officer Deni Poling was badly injured after being run over by a car driven by a suspect trying to escape arrest on a probation violation. Chief Mark Muir said this week that Poling has returned to work on a limited basis.
Missoula police officers have been placed in harm's way several times in the past year, and the City of Missoula will honor these officers in two separate ceremonies in May.
Missoula Police Chief Mark Muir received a memo Thursday afternoon clearing Lieutenant Richard Stepper of any wrongdoing for using deadly force in the case of Dawnette Eaton.
A woman is in the Missoula County jail Wednesday morning who allegedly gave assistance to suspect Dawnette Eaton after the incident Monday night where she is accused of backing over and dragging Missoula police officer Deni Poling, seriously injuring her.