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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Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedure” (“Anti-

Discrimination Policy” or “policy”). The circumstances surrounding the

investigation of these claims led to petition charges for other violations of the

policy, intimidating witnesses, intimidating public servants, and retaliating against

witnesses.

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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

On February 14, 2020, parallel events occurred within both investigations.

At approximately 6:56 a.m. Sergeant Erickson e-mailed a letter of resignation to

Sheriff Hatcher, informing Sheriff Hatcher of his intent to resign and his wish to

self-demote from lieutenant to sergeant. At around 7:40 a.m., he met with Sheriff

Hatcher and provided him with a paper copy of the resignation/demotion letter.

Sergeant Erickson told the sheriff it was because of the facts surrounding the

firearms and ammunition and “the totality of the facts and circumstances caused

[him] considerable stress, concern, and anxiety to the extent that [he] was no

longer able to serve in [his] capacity as a [lieutenant].” CP at 21. Sergeant Erickson

explains that he made this decision because of Sheriff Hatcher’s refusal (despite

repeated requests) to have an independent investigation of the domestic violence

allegations, his repeated statements that a “‘small nucleus’” of guild members

voted no confidence (when, in fact, it was a majority of members), and the later

discovery of the stockpile of ammunition. Id. at 105-07. The meeting was brief.

Around the noon hour, Sheriff Hatcher had BCSO Commander Croskrey

summon Sergeant Erickson to return to work to discuss the resignation letter.