In this interview by podcaster Sunny, writer Dave Waddell talks about the stories he’s contributed to ChicoSol during the past year and his fight for public records. Waddell is writing a book about Butte County law enforcement. Sunny’s interview will be broadcast at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 as part of KZFR’s weekly news show. Correction to interview comment: Former Chico Police Chief Michael Dunbaugh wrote the memo referred to in this interview in 2015, not in 2025 as was inadvertently stated.
Tag: Butte County Sheriff
Witness: Cadwallader held pellet gun when killed
Butte deputies used drone to confirm air rifle before shooting, witness says
BUTTE CREEK CANYON — Valerie Cadwallader, ranting incoherently, was pointing a pellet gun rifle last spring when shot dead with a single round from a Butte County sheriff’s deputy’s assault rifle.
That’s according to Brian Marklund, the owner of the pellet gun and of the property where his friend Cadwallader, 48, was killed May 8 by deputy Tyler Dentinger.
Deputies had earlier used a drone to confirm the rifle was a pellet gun, according to Marklund, who said he heard deputies transmit that it was a “.117 caliber air gun” over their radios.