Pierce Council's Troyer Investigation Paused For Criminal Case

TACOMA, WA — The Pierce County Council's investigation into Sheriff Ed Troyer has been put on hold, at least until the Attorney General's Office completes its criminal case on Troyer's conduct.

Earlier this month, the county council contracted Brian Moran, a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, to review Troyer's conduct from Jan. 1, 2020 through Jan. 27, 2021 — up to the night Troyer called a priority police response on a Black newspaper delivery driver.

However, following Gov. Inslee's announcement last week that the Attorney General's Office (AGO) would be reviewing Troyer's case as part of a separate, criminal investigation, the council's investigation has been placed on hold. According to the council, they themselves did not order the pause. Rather, Moran chose to halt the investigation until the AGO's case was finished, at which point he will re-evaluate whether to pick up the case again.

On social media, some questioned why the two investigations can't run concurrently, but it's also more likely the AGO's investigation would have a greater impact of the two. Regardless of Moran's findings, the Pierce County Council does not have the power to compel Troyer to step down, as the Pierce County Sheriff is an independently elected position.

On the other hand, while a criminal investigation could have more serious ramifications, the AGO's scope will also likely be more limited. The Pierce County Council had directed Moran to review Troyer's conduct for more than a year. The AGO's criminal case specifically focuses on the night of Jan. 27.

As the Seattle Times first reported, that night Troyer told 911 dispatchers that the driver threatened to kill him, but later recanted that statement when interviewed by Tacoma police following the incident, the Times reported. The driver was frisked by officers and his car was searched before he was allowed to continue his route. However, he told the Times he felt he had been racially profiled. Troyer denies that.

Backlash from the Times expose led to several community groups calling for Troyer's resignation, and prompted the county council to launch their now-paused investigation.

Troyer has been Pierce County sheriff since November, when he won the election to replace outgoing Sheriff Paul Pastor. Pastor retired before the election, and Troyer took over when the vote was certified on Nov. 24. His term officially began Jan. 1.

Troyer has consistently denied allegations of racism, and has said he welcomes an independent review into his conduct. Following the announcement of the latest criminal investigation, he told The News Tribune he did not have any additional details on the issue, but reiterated that he welcomed "any and all" investigations into his actions that night.