A sergeant with the Seattle Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit was arrested over the weekend for investigation of domestic violence after an incident during Leavenworth's annual Oktoberfest, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office. If arrested for a crime contact your Seattle Criminal Lawyer at SQ Attorneys immediately.
The officer, who was identified by the Sheriff's Office as Ronald Lee Murray, is a 28-year veteran of the force, according to Seattle police.
Chelan County sheriff's Detective Jerry Moore said two deputies were working at Oktoberfest late Friday when they saw a man dragging a woman by her hair and jacket through a gravel parking lot.
Moore said the woman turned out to be Murray's 44-year-old girlfriend.
The two were apparently arguing over beer tickets, Moore said.
"Mr. Murray gave away $20 worth of beer tickets and she got upset," he said. "An argument ensued and then turned physical."
Deputies noted the woman was intoxicated, according to Moore, but did not indicate whether Murray, 55, was believed to be intoxicated.
The arresting deputy noted that Murray said he knew he was wrong and had no excuse for his behavior, Moore said.
Murray was arrested without incident and booked on investigation of fourth-degree domestic violence, a gross misdemeanor, Moore said. He later bailed out of the Chelan County Regional Justice Center.
Seattle police learned of the arrest early Sunday, according to a statement.
The department has transferred the sergeant out of the Domestic Violence Unit, pending the criminal investigation, police said.
A complaint process has been initiated with the department's Office of Professional Accountability (OPA).
According to police, the OPA will begin a separate administrative investigation into the employee's conduct after the conclusion of the criminal case.
The Seattle police statement noted that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
If you or a loved one is cited or charged with a crime in Western Washington (whether as a primary aggressor or as an accomplice) it is imperative that a Seattle criminal attorney be retained as soon as possible to ensure all personal, professional and financial interests are protected. Seattle criminal defense lawyers Greg Schwesinger and Saad Qadri of SQ Attorneys represent those individuals criminally charged through all phases of their Washington State criminal case. The Seattle criminal attorneys of SQ Attorneys are experienced and proven negotiators that make a world of difference for those accused of committing a crime. SQ Attorneys is a team of seasoned Seattle criminal lawyers that work tireless to achieve the best possible outcome for each and every client they have the honor of representing. Arrested for committing a crime in Western Washington? Call The Criminal Defense Team of SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900 or (425) 998-8384 for an initial free consultation.