34°
November 14, 2009 in City
Police sergeant avoids prosecution
Troopers cited him with DUI in crash; victim feels ‘misled’
Thoma Enrolling in a deferred prosecution program
(Full-size photo) (All photos)
A Spokane police sergeant will avoid criminal prosecution for a drunken hit-and-run crash if he stays out of trouble for five years.
Bradley N. Thoma, 44, was cited for drunken driving when he rear-ended a Mead woman’s truck in September, then drove away without stopping. A judge amended the charges Friday to include one count of misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident, then dismissed that charge after being presented with a letter from the victim that said she’d been paid for the damage to her vehicle and was “not interested in (pursuing) Mr. Thoma any further.”
The judge also allowed Thoma to enroll in a five-year deferred prosecution program that will result in the drunken driving charge being dismissed if he complies with the requirements.
By asking for the deferred prosecution, Thoma acknowledged he has a severe alcohol problem, said Brian O’Brien, Spokane County deputy prosecutor.
“Quite frankly, most people don’t want to go through deferred prosecution” because of the stringent requirements, O’Brien said. “It isn’t the easy way out.”
The deal, however, left the victim of the hit-and-run accident feeling duped.
Sherry Prickett, 51, said she agreed to sign the letter prepared by the law office of Rob Cossey, who represents Thoma, only because she thought it referred to financial issues surrounding the crash. Thoma already had paid $471 to repair her vehicle and Prickett said she thought she was being asked to sign the letter e-mailed to her just hours before Friday’s court hearing to reflect that she didn’t want to seek more money.
“I do feel misled,” Prickett said. “If I had known it was releasing him of the hit-and-run charge I would never have signed.”
After reviewing the letter, Judge Douglas Robinson, a visiting judge from Whitman County, agreed to the deferred prosecution agreement and dropped the hit-and-run charge in Spokane County District Court on Friday morning.
“I was under the impression that the victim had been compensated and they were OK with that and that was the end of it,” Robinson said after the hearing. He said he had “no idea” Thoma was a police sergeant.
Cossey did not return a phone call seeking comment about Prickett’s letter.
Under the deferred prosecution agreement, Thoma – whose blood-alcohol level was 0.171, more than twice the legal limit for driving – will basically be on probation for five years and be required to complete a rehabilitation program in the first two years. The DUI arrest won’t appear on his record if he completes the program.
Thoma was driving his personal Dodge Ram pickup on Sept. 23 when he struck the back of Prickett’s Ford Ranger near the intersection of Farwell Road and U.S. Highway 2, then drove away. Prickett and another driver followed Thoma to the parking lot of a Yoke’s Fresh Market, where Thoma told a state trooper he’d been planning to buy steaks before picking up his daughter from volleyball practice.
Thoma, who troopers said smelled strongly of alcohol, said he’d just golfed at Wandermere Golf Course and “knew he had hit someone’s car and not stopped to give her his information,” according to a report from the Washington State Patrol.
“He talked about how he was probably going to lose his job or at least lose his supervisory position,” according to the report. “He also told me he knew I was just doing my job and he was sorry for putting me in the position of arresting a fellow officer.”
The impact damaged the bumper of Prickett’s truck. She replaced it using a $471 check from Thoma.
Thoma has been with the department since October 1989. He’s been suspended with pay from his $91,141-a-year job pending an internal investigation.
Court documents show Cossey was the first person Thoma tried to contact when troopers took him to the WSP office.
When Thoma couldn’t reach Cossey’s office, he called police Officer Rob Boothe to get the attorney’s private number, according to a report. Cossey had successfully defended Boothe from allegations by two fellow officers that he’d kicked a handcuffed man in the face. Cossey also successfully defended former police Officer Jay Olsen against criminal charges stemming from the shooting of a fleeing man, Shonto Pete.
After promising not to drive, Thoma was released to another Spokane police sergeant who drove him home, according to the WSP report.
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Rifleman__Dodd on November 14 at 12:10 a.m.
Are they going to put an alcohol block on his patrol car?
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biasedopinion on November 14 at 12:11 a.m.
Oh boy I can hardly wait for the onslaught of comments about how anybody else would be in jail, their vehicles seized, their spouses deported and their children taken by CPS if this would have been them……..
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Lewis on November 14 at 12:12 a.m.
91 thousand dollar a year drunk cop on the cities payroll go figure……..
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drinkr23 on November 14 at 1:31 a.m.
the spokane police have prooven again….if you own a badge, don't worry..you get a nice little paid vacation, until they figure out a way to prove your innocent…I mean “so what” all the sarge did was rearend a car at 5pm…..and then takeoff…driving on both sides of the road…being chased…hell the last time I did that I got 11 months…all because I left my badge at home….I am ripping on the police because like every job there's always a few hundred dummies…but they continue to keep making stupid mistakes…including the harm an safety of citizens…so its time for the good ol gang…to police there own; and try and make the citizens be proud of them….thats gonna be a long haul to overcome
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tinman on November 14 at 5:30 a.m.
WHERE DO I GET ONE OF THOSE ''GET OUT OF JAIL'' CARDS FOR MYSELF??!!
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fbhkymom on November 14 at 6:39 a.m.
Woooo, Biasedopinion! Are you psychic? No, it's just typical of people to start bashing cops. These kinds of deals happen everyday with similar cases and regular citizens. This one is only publicized because, again, the SR likes to incite emotion when it comes to the Police Dept. And it works every time. The judge even was quoted as saying he didn't know Thoma was an officer.
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dick adams on November 14 at 6:51 a.m.
The usual double standards apply. Verner says, the SPD has made concessions and will save the city enough money to save police positions. I guess over $91,000, entitles him to stay on the payroll. I suppose Rocky Treppiedi is assigned as back up mouth piece.
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Uptight_Spokanite on November 14 at 7:13 a.m.
Please publish the email letter that slick cop attorney Cossey scammed the victim into signing. Where this will get interesting is when the cop violates the deferral agreement and gets cut breaks a regular citizen would never get. I bet he isn't disciplined and gets at least 12 fist bumps on Monday from his fellow officers celebrating, once again, how the SPD beat the system, pummeled it like a cop pounding an innocent mentally ill guy trying to buy a 2 liter bottle of soda in a convenience store.
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Lewis on November 14 at 7:55 a.m.
fbkhymom no one would bash the cops if they learned how to fly right and they were held up to the same laws we have to follow. But they dont and because of that they are getting a bad rap with the very citizens they are supposed to serve.
Most workers that receive a DUI also receive a pink slip from their jobs but the cops get promotions with pay raises. do you really think that is right?
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BitofBacon on November 14 at 8:15 a.m.
Hey Lewis,
Where do you get your info from that says that “most workers that receive a DUI receive a pink slip”? Cite us some real sources, not the fairy tale stuff that you and Rifleman_Pudd like to make up. Like I said before, looks like they're going to be hiring next year, maybe you two could go down and show them how it's done. Both of you could teach spelling and R_Cudd could teach them how to shoot. Or you could both teach them how to shoot from the lip.
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Ninch on November 14 at 8:16 a.m.
Deferred prosecution is really stupid for anyone (not just a cop) who would be involved is such a scenario. How any judge could dismiss a “hit-and-run” by anybody is beyond comprehension.
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biasedopinion on November 14 at 8:18 a.m.
…..most workers that receive a dui also receive a pink slip from their jobs????
Please Lewis…why would an employer fire an employee that “receive” a dui? What does that even mean..receive?
Is that arrested? Convicted? What?
So as a janitor you would be fired for being arrested for DUI?
So where is his promotion and pay raise? Yeah..not the case, but then again the more you exaggerate with your assertions the more rise you might get out of the peanut gallery.
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Uptight_Spokanite on November 14 at 8:21 a.m.
I can understand, let's say, a computer network admin not being fired for a DUI and hit and run. But a cop? Sorry. They are charged with enforcing laws and like drive big high horsepowered cars around a lot. Demote him and make him an evidence room clerk where he can't embarrass the taxpayers anymore.
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biasedopinion on November 14 at 8:26 a.m.
Ninch…seems like the judge was following the law.
Misdemeanor compromise…really nothing new.
Chapter 10.22 RCW
Compromise of misdemeanors
RCW 10.22.010
When permitted — Exceptions.
When a defendant is prosecuted in a criminal action for a misdemeanor, other than a violation of RCW 9A.48.105, for which the person injured by the act constituting the offense has a remedy by a civil action, the offense may be compromised as provided in RCW 10.22.020, except when it was committed:
(1) By or upon an officer while in the execution of the duties of his office;
(2) Riotously;
(3) With an intent to commit a felony; or
(4) By one family or household member against another as defined in RCW 10.99.020 and was a crime of domestic violence as defined in RCW 10.99.020.
RCW 10.22.020
Procedure — Costs.
In such case, if the party injured appear in the court in which the cause is pending at any time before the final judgment therein, and acknowledge, in writing, that he has received satisfaction for the injury, the court may, in its discretion, on payment of the costs incurred, order all proceedings to be discontinued and the defendant to be discharged. The reasons for making the order must be set forth therein and entered in the minutes. Such order is a bar to another prosecution for the same offense.
[1891 c 28 § 63; Code 1881 §§ 1041, 1042; 1873 p 230 § 220; 1854 p 115 § 84; RRS § 2127.]
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Uptight_Spokanite on November 14 at 8:36 a.m.
“I do feel misled,” Prickett said. “If I had known it was releasing him of the hit-and-run charge I would never have signed.”
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Uptight_Spokanite on November 14 at 8:41 a.m.
I expect any day now the SPD will find a hand scrawled and blood stained letter in some evidence that was misplaced in a “not uncommon evidence processing slip up before we corrected our procedures”
DeAr JuDg,
I aM noT maD at KaRl ThomPson, I wAs bAd anD he wAs doIn hIs joB I rEleas hIm fRoM rEesponSibilIty wItH me anD i ShoUldnt Fight sO mUch wen I aM beiN arrEsted. Sory
—Otto Zehm
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empyrius on November 14 at 8:43 a.m.
The bottom line is this: the copper committed a felony!
And the judge did not know who he was?!? Yea, ummmmm, is Bugs Bunny an animated rabbitt?
And then people cry about me being a felon when I say I would do his job for half his wage . . .
Hit and run people!
He fu**ed up and tried to escape; and he is morally superior to me . . .
Har har har har har
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empyrius on November 14 at 8:49 a.m.
O, yea, and Cossey is an adulterating chump. He has had no morals since he was charging his clients money when he was a public pretender. Cossey is seriously a criminal, but you people see “property crime” on the rap sheet and say, “omigod, my stuff”. While punks with money play you for fools . . .
And then you think you have justice coming your way . . .
Har har har har har har!
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biasedopinion on November 14 at 8:49 a.m.
Empyrius….besides the obvious disqualifying felonies on your record that would preclude your employment as a peace officer, one also must be able to differentiate between a felony and misdemeanor.
So enlighten us….when did either DUI or hit and run (attended with no injuries) rise to the level of a felony?
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Rifleman__Dodd on November 14 at 8:55 a.m.
What the judge may allow and what the judge can allow are two different things.
The judge was NOT forced to allow the differed prosecution.
Now just who was this judge and why are going we going to remember this at election time? Oh a visiting judge from Whitman County. Douglas Robinson.
I still want to see that breathlyzer interlock on the cops car.
Their is little justice in our system.
By paying the victim off, he also avoids a civil trial.
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flutieflakes on November 14 at 8:58 a.m.
$91,000 jerk off.
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D Walker on November 14 at 8:58 a.m.
How many layoff notices could be shredded and regular employees keep their jobs without this T**D's wages and benefits being paid?
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biasedopinion on November 14 at 8:59 a.m.
Rifleman…..why would they put an ignition interlock on the cop car?
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chefxh on November 14 at 9:12 a.m.
What a great place to be a cop.
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empyrius on November 14 at 9:25 a.m.
I do not know if a “hit and run” is a felony biasedopinion. But I do know this, when you hit somebody else’s car, especially when you know there is somebody in that car, well, people have been charged with “vehicular assault” for such a crime, which is a felony.
And by homeboys, the cop that is, own admission, he is a raging alcoholic; but let me guess, you would rather have a drunk on duty protecting you rather than a stoner (who has not been stoned in months due to economics) protecting you. Well, “the man” has you thoroughly brainwashed if that is the case!
Also, what kind of a punk is going to hoodwink a citizen like that?!? Having a lawyer punk her off for civil suit; Is that the kind of morals we should expect from police officers? Did he murder enough Iraqis/Serbians/South Americans, before he became a cop, to get a pass from you? Does his greater evil whitewash his lesser good?
Also, Cossey is a straight-up moral-less punk; tis documented even! He is more evil than any felon he has ever represented! Seriously. I can prove that. I will not throw the dirt on this public forum, but he is a punk!
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Lewis on November 14 at 9:40 a.m.
biasedopinion and botobacon
You two guys mind putting an I support our local police buttons on your coats so when I see a cop beating you to death in a mini mart I don’t interfere?
This wasn’t a simple DUI it was a Hit and Run. Meaning a person could have been injured while the cop was trying to get home and hide his car.
That is excusable in your books? You must both be cops, because any normal person sees a problem with that.
Rifleman wants a Breathalyzer in every cop car this officer drives because the officer admitted to having a major drinking problem but as I read it this morning he will not be attending drunk school. So are we to believe he will control his own drinking habit and not drive a cop car while drunk?
With all the evidence in just the past 3 years that we have a real issue with our police I am supposed to join your side and hope to god it is not me or one of my loved ones that is next on the SPD's list of violations? Not on your life.
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Lewis on November 14 at 9:58 a.m.
And yes I would expect my employer to fire me if I was in a hit and run and fled the scene not concerned about the possible injured I left behind. It is called having a since of morals.
Many of us don’t have a union fighting for our jobs if we screw up many times we are shown the door.
Officer Thompson is on trial in federal court but he was just recently promoted with pay raise am I supposed to assume that does not apply to all rogue cops?
Perception it all has to do with perception.
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Nate on November 14 at 10:02 a.m.
I just wonder if I was drunk, and hit someone from the rear, and then left the scene and was later apprehended; how many days in jail would I spend; how much would my insurance go up; how many required drunk classes I would have to attend; and the worst is how much would it cost me to hire an attorney ($5 g s at least) in order to perhaps reduce the severity of the license suspension.
Did any of that happen to Thoma? Is it any wonder that many citizens believe there are two sets of laws. One for policemen and one for average Joe Citizen. Is it any wonder that many folks reject levies when it comes to police/fire?
Thoma helps to destroy those things that officers like Lamonna build (Honor flights).
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flutieflakes on November 14 at 10:03 a.m.
This is BS, I blow a .09, first time offender and Judge Derr bends me over her judge's bench and this guy can be s h i t canned and he gets a paid vacay. What a scam, but hey what the hell are ya gonna do about it? Pigs won't be getting my help or votes anytime soon.
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Lewis on November 14 at 10:06 a.m.
it is being reported on Krem that the citizen felt threatened by the police and that is why she signed the document with out fully understanding it.
a cop car sitting outside your home all hours has a way of shaking many of us up…….
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SpokaneIsFun on November 14 at 10:21 a.m.
This whole situation from the incident to the final resolve tells the people of Spokane they are in need of:
1. New police chief that will give the department a new image and direction, and
2. Better judicial system that treats everyone equally.
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BitofBacon on November 14 at 10:31 a.m.
The people that have received deferred (note the spelling _Dodd) prosecution are too numerous to mention and probably don't bother with these blogs unlike all of you malcontents. Always whining about how life isn't fair-get over it. This is just the end of the criminal part, you all forget that there will be an administrative action by the chief. I know it's easy to sit there in your underwear and criticize but this isn't over yet.
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empyrius on November 14 at 10:46 a.m.
Hey “BitofBacon”, I could say how your name speaks for itself -swine- but let us not go ad hominem: har har har har.
“Administrative action” you say, what, are they going to raise his salary to over a hundred thousand a year . . .
Can a brother get a bonghit with that too!!!
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empyrius on November 14 at 10:48 a.m.
o, my bad, “an hundred thousand . . .”
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BitofBacon on November 14 at 10:58 a.m.
empyrius-I think you were right the first time, and no, I don't think they are going to raise his salary.
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BitofBacon on November 14 at 11:00 a.m.
lewis,
oh, never mind.
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flutieflakes on November 14 at 11:02 a.m.
The city should tell the Union to fist themselves, fire everyone who refuses to disband and go hire their own coppers, that they actually have some control over.
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Flea on November 14 at 11:05 a.m.
There will be a few Thoma apologists. It's likely these supporters will be fellow officers. I understand why they defend the guy they have worked with. By all counts Thoma is a good cop. NOT great but good. He has been very effective during his tenure with the SPD.
But like most matters, this one is not so one-sided.
It is also well known by fellow officers including Internal Affairs that Thoma out of uniform is a bully, he's angry, he's insecure and he has a Napoleon complex. His bark is loud and his teeth are flat. This most recent indiscretion is not an isolated incident. He has been living this way for decades and his problems are chronic.
So the million dollar questions for the Captain might be these;
When is this man's private life going to cast dispersions upon my department?
How much will it cost to replace an officer with this experience?
How will it look to the public if I fail to act on such an egregious
situation?
How will it look to San Francisco if I hang a Sgt in my Department?
The answer from the outside is so clear Anne. He is a liability to the SPD. You still have officers that are trying to do right by the public. Thoma is a liability to this cause and the department will never escape their current reputation with people like Thoma on board. The officers who try to do good are demoralized by watching a guy like Thoma rise in the department.
Did he really claim he was on his way to pick up his daughter?
I'm surprised CPS hasn't contacted his daughter and asked how many times her dad has driven her home from practice smelling like a brewery. But who cares about her? Not a rhetorical question.
Anne–Are you really going to stand by this guy? Do us a favor and conduct a cursory investigation. Do it yourself. I think you will be shocked at the frequency and magnitude of Thoma's indiscretions.
Anyone that cares about our officers should attack this issue without apology. I want the good guys to stay in the department. We need them.
“Oh relax, the public does it every day” These comments from his fellow officers illustrate a categorical lack of respect for the trust the public invests in us.
For the SPD sometimes the fight is on the street with the public and sometimes it's within our own ranks. The latter is a far tougher opponent than the former. A few good guys need to step forward in the interest of the integrity of the department.
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dick adams on November 14 at 11:06 a.m.
I think the Judge has a very long nose. The Judge is from another county to sit on the bench in Spokane, and says he didn`t know the drunk was a cop. Folks, put a tooth under your pillow tonight, i. e. if you believe the story.
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flutieflakes on November 14 at 11:14 a.m.
Flea: Ding ding ding, we have a winner! Well thought out and well written comment. If only your superiors in the SPD cared about strategic goals and gaining public trust. I'm not asking you to bash the union, but I have a question: Do you feel that Guild's prerogative contrasts with that of the city and it's citizens, or do you feel that it generally works with the public's interest in mind? Thanks for your contribution to the discussion, for awhile there I thought all Spokane Police Officers were slow dimwits who became cops because they weren't smart enough to do anything else.
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empyrius on November 14 at 11:17 a.m.
Yeah, I uhhh, I apologize for that “swine” remark: my bad bro. Sorry.
Yeah, I thought it was supposed to be “an” before a vowel or silent consonant, but is “hundred” an unpronounced “h”?
Huuu. Huuu. The “h” is pronounced, so I guess that would be “a hundred”, don't know for sure?
Any grammarians around?
Hmmmmm . . .
Again, sorry for that uncalled for remark BitofBacon.
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Lulubelle on November 14 at 11:48 a.m.
I'd like to know who the judge was that “amended” the charges.
How can this pattern of police arrogance, abuse and indiscretions continue to go unchallenged. Trust in our system of justice has completely eroded and it appears those in charge will not or can not address the problem.
Until I see some action on the part of the Police Guild and the Police Chief to “police” their own ranks, I won't be casting a “yes” vote on any public safety requests for funding. It's not much of a “hammer”, but as just one person, it's all I've got.
Shame on the Spokane Police Department.
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mrnoprints on November 14 at 12:42 p.m.
No wonder my kids want to be cops when they grow up. LMAO
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Fixer on November 14 at 12:45 p.m.
Well, I'm far less surprised than I should be regarding the outcome.
Spokane PD does have good officers in its ranks. Several are former colleagues of mine, and I would attest to their character and integrity without hesitation.
Thoma, however, represents all that is wrong with SPD, and his actions perpetuate the (well deserved) bad reputation SPD has earned.
From personal experience, I can say that the best definition of Rob Cossey's practice is “legal whore.” I can appreciate the fact that officers like Thoma should have legal counsel, but an attorney has to be pretty soulless to rely on treachery and deception to win the case.
I also find it incomprehensible that the judge was unaware of Thoma's position, particularly since “'(h)e talked about how he was probably going to lose his job or at least lose his supervisory position,' according to the report. 'He also told me he knew I was just doing my job and he was sorry for putting me in the position of arresting a fellow officer.'” Did the judge not read the WSP report included in the court documents?
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Sugar Shane on November 14 at 1:06 p.m.
My favorite part is how he got a ride home from a fellow SPD officer. People that get DUI's should try that, “Hey officer I know Im really drunk, and sorry about that crashing into someone and driving off, but do you think I could get a ride home? Ive got some steaks to BBQ and more beers to chug?” Cop: “oh sure buddy, hop in my car and I'll give you a lift, dont worry about your car we'll have one of the boys drive it home for you.”
Its a good ol boys club, and anoter slap in the face to the public and a slap on the wrist for the officer, NO, NO, bad cop, no doughnut. Are these the kinds of people that we are “saving” their 91k jobs for? The SPD continues in its crusade to fully destroy the publics trust, all while protecting their own. Protect and serve was supposed to mean the people, not the police department.
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commonsense12 on November 14 at 2:14 p.m.
I find it funny how she can initially report there was no damage, but once finding out she could be available to recieve a pay off, mysteriously she now has $471 worth of damages,several weeks after the collision. You'll note the SR does not show any of this “supposed” damage to her vehicle. Hope she enjoys the big screen T.V. she can buy for being “duped.” Next time someone wants to accidently bump into me leaving no damage but still pay me $471, I am available…. what roads do I need to be driving on to receive a deal like that???
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Lewis on November 14 at 3:07 p.m.
If I am ever lucky enough to be hit by a drunken cop I will clean his pockets, 471 bucks isn’t nothing compared to a whiplash injury or such.
If this man is such a threat how is it he is still employed? I mean he must smell like alcohol all the time, why hasn’t his supervisors or work mates said anything, if they are so rightous?
I do agree we have some fine people working in our police department but we badly need to get rid of the rotten apples but sadly the system is set up to prevent that from happening.
And bits o bacon, oh what the hell…….
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soccermomsusie on November 14 at 4:39 p.m.
I am hoping that Doug Clark and the Spokesman-Review will finally get to the truth regarding the Spokane Police Department's involvement in the JFK assassination.
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Uptight_Spokanite on November 14 at 4:55 p.m.
Actually if a rogue SPD officer had traveled to Dallas and assassinated JFK, the SPD official response would have blamed the Secret Service for not letting their officer know ahead of time that the firing lanes that intersected with Kennedy's head were not open at the time and that Kennedy should have ducked and was assessed by the shooting officer as showing signs of belligerence and agitation by waving wildly at strangers from an open convertible. The SPD Guild would have issued a strongly worded statement condemning any recommendations that the assassinating officer be suspended without full pay.
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ChefGus on November 14 at 5:05 p.m.
Hey Hey Hey guysn gals… NOT to worry… this officer failed several of the Chief's five rules …break one and you are gone… I am SURE she will let this officer see the door…. and send him through it.. WHERE is your faith in the Chief of the Force?? just wait till we see what disappearing Anne Kirkpatrick does after the internal investigatin… j
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Bob_Knows on November 14 at 7:27 p.m.
So he'll be out busting us “civilians” for DUI, hit and run, and other crimes. Raging hypocrisy.
The blue shirt budget in Spokane is obviously way over bloated. Taxes and budgets need to be cut WAY back to get rid of scumbags like that.
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Rifleman__Dodd on November 14 at 7:35 p.m.
How come BitoBacon sounds a lot like a stalker? You know DT?
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commonsense12 on November 14 at 10:01 p.m.
a guy who has spent the last twenty years protecting the citizens of spokane, put his life on the line in many situations, risked his life in a shooting, was stabbed within the last year, makes one mistake and now you all want to go arrest him or make sure he is severly punished. dont you think it is punishment to have to go through 2 years worth of AA meetings/treatment? Or to have to live with the humiliation of everyone knowing about the mistake you made? if any other regular citizen in spokane would have made this mistake NOONE would have reported about it this much! When one of you can say you have never made a mistake or broken a rule then you go right ahead and make these comments but until then its pretty stupid to bad mouth someone who you have never even met. You only know ONE side of the story hate to break it to you all but the news doesn't always tell the EXACT truth.
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Rifleman__Dodd on November 14 at 10:31 p.m.
Drive while intoxicated. Not a MISTAKE a lack of judgement.
Hitting a car while driving. Not a MISTAKE a lack of judgement.
Running from the scene of an accident. Not a MISTAKE…….
For an experienced police officer of “the last twenty years”.. seems more like lack of judgement.
seems like commonsense isnt very common to this officer.
So why are you making excuses for him? Are you his attorney?
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commonsense12 on November 14 at 10:38 p.m.
did he really run from the scene he was in a construction site where do you pull over when there is no shoulder to the road?? he pulled over as soon as he got to the first legal spot. not his attorney his daughter who knows the whole story but thanks anyways
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commonsense12 on November 14 at 10:41 p.m.
correction to the last comment his daughters best friend.
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commonsense12 on November 14 at 10:43 p.m.
haha and i bet you have never made a lack of judgement i bet you are a perfect person.. never done anything wrong? we should all probably be more like you.
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Lewis on November 14 at 11:21 p.m.
commonsense12
No you are right if it was one of us it would not have made it in the papers other then under court dates.
The issue here is once again we see a police officer break a law that would have sent any one of average Joes to jail for the night as well as cleaned us of at least 5 g's.
Yes people make mistakes every day and when they break the law they have to pay a fine or serve time but if you are a Spokane police officer nothing happens to you because you are victim of your 100 thousand dollar a year job. Boo hoo cant stand the heat get out of the fire. Just because your job gives you stress does not make your addiction OK.
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commonsense12 on November 14 at 11:26 p.m.
wow really cuz he didnt recieve any punishment? humiliaition isnt a punishment? 2 years of treatment and aa meetings isnt punishment? maybe the lady should try not lying during statments she makes to the media… especially when she makes an opoiste statement in privacy
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THEBONES on November 15 at 12:05 a.m.
soon the people of the U.S. will no longer put up with this. with all your bantering aside. THERES A WAR COMING. a war for the freedom of the common citizen. and i hope you are all on the right side. if you are wearing riot gear and a badge of an illegal corrupt organization. then you have my prayers. because history has shown us all that oppresive governments always fail. and it starts at the local level. BUY A GUN AND LOTS OF AMMUNITION, before THEY pass the laws on your 2nd ammendment right to protect yourself from people like this.
oh and by the way tell your freinds dad that hes screwd alot of people over the time of his carreer. and that my prayers will be with him when the turn of the tide arrives. i know i couldnt sleep at night knowing ive taken peoples freedoms away, and cost them thousands of dollars.
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Lewis on November 15 at 8:58 a.m.
i would assume that is why a cop could be a drunk fighting with his inner soul; over right and wrong and always picking wrong to do.
I agree with thebones if we keep on the road we are on we will have jack booted storm troopers for cops with in the next 10years.
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commonsense12 on November 15 at 12:15 p.m.
if you want to think i am some cop at the spokane police department just sticking up for my buddy go ahead. but i definantly am not.
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commonsense12 on November 15 at 1:52 p.m.
if you all knew the person your sitting here talking s**t about maybe you would realize that he isn't perfect and he sure as hell doesnt think he is.
this is an eye opening experience for him and everyone who knows him. he feels as if he has let everyone down, including his daughter, he didnt think people would stand by him after this.
he may have had a lack in judgement but thats a mistake that many people make everyday… you may say that driving while intoxicated is not a mistake and you're right but if you or someone close to you was put in this situtaion would you be writing the things you are writing now or would you be sticking up for them? especially if you knew the kind of person they really were.
he may be a member of the spokane police department but he was not treated in any way better than a regular citizen would have been treated. he for the first time experienced what it was like to be on the other side of the bars, he rode to the jail in the back of cop car in handcuffs….
I am pretty sure if you were the one in his shoes right now your family and friends wouldn't be on here talking s**t about you saying you deserve to go to jail, and you deserve to lose your job, no they would be the ones trying to tell people that you were a good person.
maybe next time before you write a comment on here you should think about the peolpe who are hurt from your words…
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PlanB on November 15 at 5:09 p.m.
Just another complete and total failure of our justice system. Take away the badge and the result would be quite different.
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spokelooneh on November 15 at 9:48 p.m.
commonsense, if you had any, you wouldn't be posting your utter idiotic defense of the indefensible, further sullying (if that's possible) the reputation and actions of your BFF's father.
How many times have you and your bff been riding in a car when Sgt. Thoma was three sheets to the wind, thus putting you AND HIS OWN DAUGHTER at risk for your lives by this chump?
Police officers MUST be held to a higher standard, precisely because society grants them life and death power over citizens, and grants them the ability to violate the freedom, when necessary, of citizens who it is reasonably suspected that they have committed a crime. That is a power granted that must NOT be abused, and if it is, must be severely punished, lest we devolve into a Police State.
You're not doing your bff or Sgt. Thoma any favors with your ill-conceived utterances in his defense.
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calvinandhobbes on November 16 at 1:41 p.m.
although i commend the officer for paying the victim for the cost of the repairs, he should still have been prosecuted.
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Erik_T on November 17 at 5:40 p.m.
I wonder if Cossey will now represent the lady whom was struck in a tort case for bodily injury… Even with conflict of interest aside, how can a guy pass up the chance to double dip!
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Rifleman__Dodd on November 18 at 8:18 a.m.
Sources state that Thoma paid $2000 for the services of Mr. Cossey. Must be getting the Guild discount.
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media_is_onesided on November 18 at 8:48 a.m.
Rifleman_Dodd…..”SOURCES????” Go ahead and name the source….is that so hard to do?
I would love to live in the glass houses that all of your bad mouthers live in……..
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undooly_prosecuted on January 11 at 8:26 p.m.
This fella has his foot in the door and obviously is current on his union dues.Make him a janitor down at city hall.I don't want to see him or his family totally hurt.Then again, I don't want to see anyone hurt in anybody elses families either next time. Thanks to all our Police officers that due it right ! You Guys and Gals are the Greatest !!!!!
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