Anger marked life of man killed by Apple Valley police

The man who opened fire on an Apple Valley police officer and was killed by police on Sunday had a history of anger management problems, according to family members.

Carl A. Tatum, 48, had struggled for years with his temper, previously drawing the attention of police in his native Greensboro, N.C., and also in Apple Valley, said his sister Terry Tatum.

"He had some difficulties," Terry Tatum said. "That wasn't the first time police had been called. He had his moments. We still loved him."

She also said the family holds no ill will toward the Apple Valley police or Carl Tatum's girlfriend, whose 911 call about a domestic dispute brought the officers to the townhouse in the 13900 block of Herald Court about 5:40 p.m. Sunday.

"We're lifting them up in our prayers," she said. "We are not angry with anybody."

According to police, the woman who owns the townhouse called for help, reporting that she had been assaulted by Carl Tatum, her live-in boyfriend.

Arriving officers Tommie Booth and Tara Becker met with the woman outside, then an officer entered and made contact with Tatum. Police described him as upset, loud and agitated.

Both officers gave chase. Booth arrived at the top of the stairs and found Tatum armed with a handgun he had pulled from behind a sofa cushion.

Tatum shot at Booth, police said, prompting the officer to return fire and hit Tatum multiple times.

The officers tried to revive Tatum and stem his bleeding, but he was pronounced dead at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Acting Police Chief Jon Rechtzigel said police responded to a domestic dispute at the address in 2009. A records search found no serious criminal convictions on Tatum's record in Minnesota.

"We've been there before, but it wasn't like a problem address," he said. "It's a pretty quiet neighborhood."

Rechtzigel said Monday that veteran officers Booth and Becker "handled this one by the numbers."

When Tatum fired on the officer, Rechtzigel said, Booth "had no choice" but to open fire. The officers "conducted themselves very professionally," Rechtzigel said.

Booth has been an Apple Valley officer for 13 years. He has received two Department Awards of Merit and a Life Saving Award.

Becker has been with the force for more than 10 years. She has received the Department Award of Merit, a Medal of Commendation and the Officer of the Year Award.

Both have been placed on paid administrative leave, standard in shootings involving police officers.

"He could get upset sometimes but he always took care of his family," she said.

Apple Valley police and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are working on the investigation into the shooting, the city's first officer-involved shooting since October 2000.

The cul-de-sac ringed by townhouses was quiet Monday, with no sign of the struggle the day before.

A neighbor, who declined to give her name, said police had previously responded to the address when the couple were heard screaming in disagreement.