Student undergoes brain surgery after scuffle with cop

Jason Bergreen
Salt Lake Tribune

A 17-year-old Riverton High School student who struck his head Friday during a scuffle with the school resource officer later underwent emergency brain surgery. The boy remained in critical condition Sunday, according to a University Hospital spokeswoman. David Stoddard, the Jordan School District area executive director, said school administrators who are in contact with the boy's family told him of the operation, though he didn't know when it occurred.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office is conducting an internal investigation to determine whether Deputy Ben Bolduc used excessive force on the boy, who had been sent to his office to discuss a truancy issue, Sgt. Paul Jaroscak said Saturday. The boy had wandered away from Bolduc's office, and the skirmish occurred as the deputy was escorting him back. Bolduc grabbed him by the arm when the student stopped to talk to friends, and the boy pulled away, Jaroscak said. The deputy then wrapped his arms around the boy from behind and lifted him off his feet. The pair fell, and the boy landed on his head.

Bolduc, an 11-year veteran with the sheriff's office, also teaches law enforcement classes at Riverton High School, where he has been a resource officer for the past year. He has not been placed on administrative leave and is expected to return to work this week, Jaroscak said.