Jay Ostrem: Former cop and mayor charged with triple murder has history of using excessive force

DAKOTA, IOWA: A former police officer who became mayor and is now charged with the murder of three persons, was once sued for severely beating a suspect, resulting in the loss of an eye, and was implicated in another's death, according to two lawsuits.

Jay Ostrem, 64, is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond facing three counts of first-degree murder after a Memorial Day shooting. Ostrem's career in law enforcement spanned over two decades in Wyoming and South Dakota.

During his tenure at the Gillette, Wyoming police department, he faced two lawsuits over his use of force. Ostrem also served as the mayor of small town Centreville.

Patrick Dalby files lawsuit blaming Jay Ostrem for his left eye loss

In 2000, Patrick Wayne Dalby, a suspect in a clothing store robbery, filed a lawsuit alleging excessive use of force by Ostrem. Dalby alleged that during his arrest in April 1999, Ostrem struck him with the butt of a semi-automatic rifle, resulting in the loss of his left eye.

According to the original complaint reported by DailyMail.com, Ostrem hit him multiple times on the back, head, face, and eye with the rifle and discharged two shots. District Judge Clarence Brimmer ruled in favor of Ostrem, stating that his actions were "objectively reasonable".

In April 2000, Dalby received a sentence of 15 to 35 years for robbery and an additional two to five years for disarming a peace officer.

TaWaynda Owens sues Jay Ostrem for using 'unreasonable, unnecessary and unjustified' force

In a separate 2001 lawsuit, TaWaynda Owens accused Ostrem of using "unreasonable, unnecessary, and unjustified" force, leading to her husband Michael Owen's death. TaWaynda had left her Gillette home after an altercation with her husband Michael in November 2001.

After arriving at her sister's residence and recounting the incident, her sister contacted the local police to report that she had been assaulted. Concurrently, Michael Owens, 40, appeared at the residence, prompting the dispatch of Officer Ostrem to the location.

Ostrem, accompanied by another officer, confronted Owens with weapons drawn and shouted at him in a forceful tone.

The lawsuit further alleges that when Owens began to drive erratically, Ostrem fired ten shots at him, resulting in Owens' death at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

The widow of Owens contends that Ostrem and his colleague infringed upon her late husband's rights by using excessive force that was "unreasonable, unnecessary, and unjustified" during the arrest.

Judge dismissed claims against Jay Ostrem

Once again, a judge dismissed the claims, and Ostrem did not pay damages in either case. The Gillette News Record reported that in 1994, Ostrem shot and killed a suicidal gunman.

Warren Thomas had apparently wounded himself with his own gun when Ostrem and another officer arrived at his home. When Thomas was asked to drop the gun he was holding, he raised a revolver at the other officer, prompting Ostrem to shoot him.

Ostrem had visited Thomas' home earlier that day after a request was made to check on him. He left after Thomas assured him that he would seek help at a hospital.

What happened on Memorial Day 2024?

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, Ostrem appeared before a judge in Clay County in connection with the shooting incident that occurred on Monday, May 27.

The former Centerville Mayor is facing three class A felony murder charges, each carrying a minimum sentence of death or life imprisonment.

A probable cause affidavit identified the victims as two brothers: 26-year-old Paul Frankus and his younger sibling, 21-year-old Zach, along with 35-year-old Timothy Richmond.

Zach Frankus called the police on Monday night to report that his brother had been shot by "a guy from across the street," who then returned to his own home. While still on the phone with the dispatcher, Zach stated that he had also been shot, his voice frantic.

Zach then ceased communication, according to the charging documents. Responding authorities arrived at the scene, where a Game Fish and Parks officer observed Ostrem departing from the residence identified as the shooting location.

Ostrem initially disregarded commands to halt but eventually lay down on the ground and was apprehended shortly thereafter. An AR-style rifle was found near him on the ground, and a handgun was discovered in his pocket.

The police observed that Ostrem was bleeding from his left hand and emitted an odor of alcohol. Officers proceeded to the house from where the call was made and discovered all three victims.

Jay Ostrem’s wife accuses neighbor of assaulting her

Ostrem's British wife, reported to the police that she had been assaulted by a neighbor named Paul Frankus. She had told Ostrem about the incident on Monday night.

The two had been drinking when he forced her to kiss him and resorted to inappropriate behavior.

On hearing this, Ostrem "got up and went raging out of the house," claimed the wife in the recorded statement.

Although weapons were kept in the house and she was sure he had some in his car, she told the officers her husband did not tell her where he was going and did not leave the house armed.

Jay Ostrem is scheduled for a court appearance on June 20.

Internet demands 'death penalty' for Jay Ostrem

As soon as the news spread online, people started critizing Jay Ostrem's act.

One user said, "Death penalty."

Another said, "He should be publicly castrated by a mean dog that hasn't eaten in 5 days."

The third commentator added, "Wow. He not only had a license to kill but was rewarded for it. I bet those men weren’t even flirting with his wife. I’ve seen many an aggressive & toxic drunk man thinking EVERY male in the vicinity wants his most of the time homely wife. I even got hit one time being caught in the mix of the toxicity. I also bet his wife liked and encouraged his jealous behavior. Toxic masculinity + toxic femininity never goes well."

A person concluded, "He SAYS he murdered them for flirting with his wife. He’ll say whatever he can rustle up to walk free."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.