Wash. Supreme Court published opinion — 989681.pdf

Citation: Wash. Supreme Court published opinion — 989681.pdf
Jurisdiction: Washington (state)
Source: Official source
Original Source: https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/989681.pdf ↗

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them for their disrespect.

Sheriff Hatcher then indicated that Lieutenant Magnuson was “stirring the

pot” and that he would not tolerate it anymore. Id. at 170. He told the commanders

that allowing them to form the Guild was a mistake and “has become his worst

nightmare.” Id. “Sheriff Hatcher said when the time comes for negotiations and

language for our Collective Bargaining unit that he will be fighting tooth and nail

on wording.” Id.

The conversation turned to the investigation of the ammunition, and Sheriff

Hatcher asked if Commander Caughey called him a “thief.” Id. Commander

Caughey replied he did not recall, but Sheriff Hatcher stated he “was ‘going to

know’” if this was truthful because he had the investigative binders. Id. at 170-71.

Commander Caughey indicated that he was unsure how the sheriff could

investigate himself. “Sheriff Hatcher became angry and said it is because it is the

law, I had better read it and understand that it is in his authority as a sheriff to

investigate any crime in Benton County, including those where he is the suspect.”

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For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.
In re Recall Charges Against Benton County Sheriff Gerald D. Hatcher,
No. 98968-1

Id. at 171. After back and forth about the ammunition, Sheriff Hatcher “said that

[they] had better hope that [they] didn’t say he stole the ammunition.” Id. at 172.

Commander Law asked Sheriff Hatcher if he had told others about the

commanders taking ammunition in 2017. Sheriff Hatcher stated he did not know

they had taken the ammunition. Commander Law stated that was a lie as they had

asked the sheriff for permission, and Sheriff Hatcher then said he did not know