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’s behavior is intended to damage the reputation of the witnesses (by raising

an allegation of impropriety) and to make the witnesses believe they will lose their

jobs or be demoted if they share any negative information about the Sheriff in this

investigation.” Id.

However, the retaliatory behavior did not conclude when the formal

investigation was over. On May 7, 2020, Sheriff Hatcher held a meeting with

Commanders Law and Caughey, under the guise of discussing staffing, that ended

up lasting six-and-a-half hours. At this point Sheriff Hatcher knew that the

commanders were both witnesses in both investigations against the sheriff. Sheriff

Hatcher steered the conversation away from staffing and toward the investigations,

and he stated that “he was sick and tired of people blaming him for everything that

has happened over the last 6-8 months, and that both [commanders] are partially

responsible as well.” Id. at 169. He also alleged that Commander Caughey was

dishonest. As to this interaction Commander Caughey states,

I indicated that the accusation was not true. Sheriff Hatcher became
angry and told me I better get that look off of my face and stop being
disrespectful. I told him I was not being disrespectful to him. The
Sheriff used his authority as my boss, he pointed his finger at me and

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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

said, “Say one more word.” I said yes sir and nothing further as I felt
if I did he would fire, demote or discipline me.

Id. at 169-70. Sheriff Hatcher then accused Commander Caughey of being

disrespectful and informed him that the previous sheriff would have fired both of