December 15, 2009 in City

Sheriff’s sergeant on leave amid assault investigation

Police report: Daughter says she was hit during argument

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A Spokane County sheriff’s sergeant has been placed on paid leave pending the filing of a misdemeanor assault charge in connection with a domestic violence dispute.

David Fray was placed on administrative leave late last month after investigators concluded they had probable cause to arrest him on suspicion of assaulting his college-age daughter during a visit in September, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Spokane City Council members agreed Monday to hire a private attorney, Marletta Giles-Ward, to prosecute the case, which was investigated by the Spokane Police Department.

Fray, who has not been arrested and couldn’t be reached for comment, had been reassigned to desk duty since the Sept. 13 incident, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, a Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

The dispute began after Fray picked up his daughter from Washington State University for the weekend. The two began arguing in a car and Fray slapped her and pulled her hair, according to a police report.

The woman, whose name is redacted in a report provided by police, was treated for her injuries at Valley Hospital & Medical Center “but told hospital staff not to call the police because” her father “was a cop,” according to the report.

She later took a written statement to the police station and filed a police report. Police photographed her injuries, including a swollen lip and a red, swollen cheek.

A friend of Fray’s daughter told detectives she’d heard screaming and crying over the phone when the woman called asking for help. She told police she didn’t want to report the incident but feared the dispute would escalate.

In interviews with police, Fray detailed an ongoing family dispute and said he and his daughter had a “kind of rocky” relationship they were working to improve, according to the report.

They were arguing in the car when she threw a cup of soda on him and “he instinctively responded by throwing a backhand,” the report said. His daughter acted like she was going to hit him with her purse, Fray said, so he grabbed her hair to stop her.

Fray told detectives he suffered a cut and swollen lip in the fight. Fray, who’s paid about $83,000 a year, has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1976.

Nine comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  Fixer on December 15 at 6:53 p.m.

  “…said he and his daughter had a ‘kind of rocky’ relationship they were working to improve, according to the report.”

  Yep, that’s how you do it.

• 

  Roger_Young on December 15 at 9:42 p.m.

  “he instinctively responded by throwing a backhand,”

  if he treats his daughter that way, how did he treat people under arrest?

  OZ should have the termination papers ready by tomorrow’s rollcall

• 

  empyrius on December 16 at 6:51 a.m.

  Indeed Roger, the “instinctively responded by throwing a backhand” part caught my eye too . . .

• 

  lewis8457 on December 16 at 8:47 a.m.

  Instinctively responded by throwing a backhand

  This obvious police procedure takes the place of communication, morals, and righteousness.

  Oh I forgot this is about a cop…..never mind

• 

  eagleproducer on December 17 at 1:21 p.m.

  Aww, the good old “instinctive” backhand…

  Pete Sampras rode that to 12 grand slam titles. It should work as a defense for beating your daughter, eh?

• 

  eagleproducer on December 17 at 1:23 p.m.

  A “rocky” relationship?

  Is that a reference to Mr. Balboa or just whenever the deputy couldn’t relate his daughter got rocked?

• 

  DontRush on December 18 at 10:12 a.m.

  There are two types of people in the world, those that see a cop wrestling on the ground run up and help him, and those that run up and kick him.

  Looks like Sgt. Fray has been in service to the citizens of Spokane County for 34 years. All told, I wonder how many lives saved, heroic acts, and unspeakable sights, sounds and smells are wrapped up in that 34 years.

  I don’t know if he lost his temper with his daughter or not. If he slapped her, or if it was a justified response. I think it’s a WILD stretch to think of this as an indication that he has treated citizens wrongly during his 34 years. If he did make a mistake, I think he stands to pay a far greater price for this momentary lapse, if it occurred, and was not justified, then nearly any other citizen he has fought so hard to protect.

  Lastly, Any of you cop haters brave enough to provide some perspective on your backgrounds by telling the audience the frequency and nature of your arrests - that led you to be such cop haters? Hate them as you do - call 911 and they will rush to help, save and/or rescue you…

• 

  abc123 on December 18 at 1:35 p.m.

  I know both parties in this case. Let the investigation take it’s course. Don’t rush to judgement on either side. People are so quick to make judgements when they don’t have any idea what happened. Dave has a been a devoted policeman for several years and his daughter is a great person. Think twice before you leave a rude comment.

• 

  zombiemaven on December 22 at 3:14 p.m.

  This town’s police force is far too often under a cloud of suspicion. Seems to me their training is a bit inadequate. Not saying it isn’t lengthy and trying - maybe even grueling - but obviously something is missing.