Deputy previously hailed as a life-saver now under investigation for criminal misconduct

A Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy has been placed on administrative leave while investigators try to determine if he is guilty of “assault or other criminal misconduct” during a recent call.

The investigation into Spokane Valley Deputy Samuel Turner is being led by the Spokane Police Department.

The potentially criminal behavior surfaced during a supervisor’s review of Turner’s call, not from a citizen complaint, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Mark Gregory.

“There were some things that caused the supervisor to dig a little deeper,” Gregory said.

No details are being released to protect the integrity of the investigation, Gregory said.

The results of the Spokane Police Department’s investigation will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for a decision on possible criminal charges. After any criminal proceedings are over an internal investigation will be conducted to determine whether Turner violated department policy.

Turner, who has been with the department for two years, was featured in a Spokesman-Review story in May after he successfully revived a 2-year-old girl who had fallen into a backyard pond and was not breathing. Turner has also been featured on the A&E television show Live PD.