MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Pierce County Sheriff’s Dept, BLM react to charges against sheriff

Oct 19, 2021, 4:41 PM | Updated: 4:41 pm

pierce county...

A man holding a grenade was confronted by a group of Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies Friday afternoon in Midland. (Pierce County Sheriff's Dept. via Twitter)

(Pierce County Sheriff's Dept. via Twitter)

The Washington State Attorney General’s office has filed misdemeanor charges against Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer.

“I want the voters to decide whether I stay or go,” Sheriff Ed Troyer told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson. The sheriff said he answers to the citizens.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department released a statement on Tuesday to respond to the charges and its duty to serve the community.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department will maintain its commitment to serving and protecting the citizens of Pierce County while Sheriff Troyer addresses the charges filed against him today. Sheriff Troyer remains the elected Sheriff in full lawful authority and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Sheriff has instructed his command staff, and the entire Pierce County Sheriff’s Department to continue in its mission and to fulfill their duties without interruption or distraction.

The Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance also released a statement on Tuesday, interpreting the probable cause documents to state that Troyer meant to harm Sedrick Altheimer, a Black man delivering newspapers in a white, Tacoma neighborhood.

It also demands Troyer resign immediately.

“The probable cause document is clear and explicit that Sheriff Ed Troyer broke the law. He is being charged with two crimes: false reporting and making a false statement when he said that newspaper deliverer Sedrick Altheimer, a Black man, was trying to kill him.

“Sheriff Troyer’s statements to witnesses that night—that Mr. Altheimer was trying to kill him and used his vehicle as a weapon—are flags to other officers that they should arrive on the scene ready to use deadly force. There is only one conclusion we can draw from that: Sheriff Troyer intended to do harm to Mr. Altheimer, who was doing nothing more than delivering the newspaper.

“These are federal ‘color of law’ violations, and Sheriff Troyer must resign immediately.

“Earlier this year, the Washington State Legislature created an Office of Independent Investigation to review police use of deadly force. Incidents like Sheriff Troyer’s potentially deadly lies to fellow officers should also routinely receive independent investigations. Moreover, police incidents such as these must be independently prosecuted. We will be advocating for an independent prosecutions bill in the 2022 legislative session.”

The Washington BLM Alliance earlier filed a complaint against Sheriff Troyer with the Department of Justice and recently received notice it is being reviewed.

MyNorthwest News

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

35 minutes ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

4 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

5 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

6 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

6 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

8 hours ago

Pierce County Sheriff’s Dept, BLM react to charges against sheriff