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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sheriff telling Lieutenant Magnuson, “‘If I could reach through this phone and

choke the life out of you, I would,’” and another incident of the sheriff threatening

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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

to strangle the lieutenant with his “hands out . . . in a choking motion.” Id. Sheriff

Hatcher has also repeatedly told Lieutenant Magnuson not to get comfortable

because he can restructure Magnuson out of the department and that he is sheriff

and “no one can do anything to [him].” Id. at 183.

Lieutenant Magnuson told the sheriff he should resign because of Sheriff

Hatcher’s own admission that he grabbed his wife by the neck during an argument.

Sheriff Hatcher accused Lieutenant Magnuson of judging him because of the

lieutenant’s religious beliefs. Lieutenant Magnuson explained that he was judging

the sheriff based on department policy and that “he had deputies coming to him

crying because the public was treating them negatively because of the charges

against the Sheriff.” Id. The sheriff then made comments about Christians being

“high and mighty” and judgmental. Id. Lieutenant Magnuson indicated he fears

“retaliation and worse due to the Sheriff’s anger.” Id. at 184. He told investigators

that the stress is interfering in his relationship with his family and that “he walks

around the office in tears at times and expressed that he deserves a safe place to

work.” Id. at 184-85.

Lieutenant Clarke, during his interview with Ms. Blatt, also indicated that

“the Sheriff talks down to officers, does not give officers a chance to explain, takes

credit for successes that are not his, makes sure you know that he is in charge, back