Sheriff Under Scrutiny For Calling Cops On Black Delivery Driver

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer has fallen under scrutiny after The Seattle Times reported that he called in a large police response for a Black newspaper delivery driver in a Tacoma neighborhood. Troyer is white.

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, Sedrick Altheimer, said he felt he was racially profiled, the paper reported. Troyer denied that. Altheimer was not detained and was allowed to continue delivering newspapers.

The story caught the attention of local officials, including Pierce County Council Chair Derek Young and Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier, who called the incident "alarming."

The incident took place on Jan. 27. Altheimer was delivering newspapers in western Tacoma — as he did six nights a week — when an unmarked SUV started following him, the Times reported. After being tailed for several blocks, Altheimer got out of his vehicle and approached the SUV driver to ask why he was following him.

Altheimer said he had no idea the driver was Troyer.

Troyer never identified himself but accused Altheimer of being a thief and stealing packages from doorstops, Altheimer told the Times. Eventually, Altheimer returned to his own vehicle. Troyer continued to follow Altheimer in his SUV. Several deliveries later, Altheimer pulled his car around, and the two vehicles ended up facing each other.

At this point, Altheimer started taking pictures of Troyer's SUV. Troyer, meanwhile, called 911.

An audio recording of the call released by the Times revealed Troyer telling dispatchers that Altheimer "looked homeless in his car" and that he had threatened to harm him.

"He’s in some sort of gray car, and he was in my driveway and in my neighbor’s driveway, and he knows who I am, and he threatened to kill me, and I’ve got him blocked in," Troyer said.

Dispatchers sent more than 40 law enforcement officers to the scene, the Times reported. Most were recalled once Tacoma police arrived. Police frisked Altheimer, searched his car and found nothing but the newspapers he was delivering. He was allowed to return to his work.

Altheimer told the Times he was shocked by the ordeal. “I’m yelling, ‘What are you guys here for? What am I doing wrong? You guys are trying to arrest a paper carrier!’” Altheimer said. “These police officers just wasted a gallon of gas speeding over here — for what? I’m giving the people the news, and I’m going home. I’ve got five kids.”

During the Tacoma police's investigation into the incident, Troyer recanted his earlier claim that Altheimer threatened his life. Troyer's later statements contained inconsistencies and at points contradicted what he told emergency responders in his initial 911 call, the Times reported.

The Times published its story Friday morning. Local officials were quick to weigh in shortly thereafter.

Young released a statement saying the Pierce County Council was following the story and will react appropriately.

"Council learned this morning about the event on Jan. 27 in Tacoma involving Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer. Based on the information reported, Council is concerned about what occurred and is eager to learn more about the circumstances of that night.

"Pierce County’s sheriff position is a separately elected office and is not under the administrative control of Council or the Executive.

"The values of the Pierce County Council promote civility, equity, and acceptance. We take this situation seriously and know that public trust in law enforcement is paramount.

"As we have more information, we will have a better sense of appropriate next steps available to us. We remain committed to working toward making our county a place where every resident feels safe."

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.

Read the full report at The Seattle Times.