Arbitrator orders Marysville cop reinstated after daughter’s death

A Marysville cop who was charged with manslaughter and fired from the police department following the shooting death of his daughter can have his job back, an arbitrator ruled this week.

Derek Carlile, 32, was accused of causing the death of his 7-year-old daughter, Jenna, who was shot by her 3-year-old brother on March 10, 2012.

Carlile, his wife and their four children were on their way to a wedding when they stopped at a friend’s antique shop in Stanwood. Carlile left his off-duty weapon in a cup holder between the front seats and stepped out of the car with his wife, Forrest.

Moments later, their son Steele grabbed the gun and fatally shot his sister.

Carlile was charged with second-degree manslaughter in the case, but a mistrial was declared on November 12, 2012 after the jury failed to reach a verdict following two days of deliberation.

The Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office never sought a retrial.

Although Carlile was never convicted in the case, the Marysville Police Department fired him on May 6, 2013, following an internal investigation into the incident.

The decision was sent to arbitration, which resulted Monday in an order to reinstate Carlile, according to Attorney David Allen, who represented Carlile during the criminal trial.

It is unclear if Carlile plans to return to the force.
A call to Marysville Police Chief Rick Smith was not immediately returned.