Internal investigation clears deputy of wrongdoing

Published 1:32 pm Monday, June 17, 2024

An internal investigation into alleged excessive force by a Pacific County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been completed. The investigation was launched following a chaotic scene at a mental subject call along U.S. Highway 101 outside Raymond on May 13.

The incident began after Deputy Alex Bennett responded to a 911 call that a female was potentially suicidal. Bennett was the first unit on the scene and immediately called for all available backup.

Units from the Raymond Police Department, South Bend Police Department, Shoalwater Bay Police Department and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to assist.

According to body camera footage obtained via a public records request, officers arrived on the scene to discover a heavily intoxicated female and contentious male, identified as Jimmy Boggs, who stepped out from a door on the side of the residence.

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‘Deputy [Alex] Bennett appeared to remain calm, collected, and acted professionally during the course of his actions.’

PCSO Sgt. Kyle Pettit, investigating officer

The duo was spoken to separately, at which point Boggs became agitated. He ordered law enforcement to “get the f*** off” his property multiple times and told them to “boogie” on out.

Bennett ignored the demand and stated that he had concerns for Boggs and the woman’s well-being after reportedly witnessing her threaten to “punch” Boggs.

“Would you be willing to go to a relative’s house for tonight?” Bennett asked.

“I do if you can guarantee her safety,” Boggs replied.

“Guarantee her safety? Well, I’m not going to sit here all night with her,” Bennett stated back.

Boggs then became agitated and told the units again to “f***ing leave.”

Bennett lunged forward, grabbed Boggs’s hands and attempted to detain him. SBPD Officer Jordan Dockter intervened and stopped the detainment.

The remainder of the incident, captured on body cam, shows Boggs remaining agitated for nearly an hour in a chaotic and hostile scene. Boggs was later transported to the hospital after PCSO Sgt. Kyle Pettit arrived on the scene to investigate Bennett’s use of force.

Boggs rode via ambulance to Willapa Harbor Hospital and immediately declined treatment. Boggs also had a current trespass order against him from the hospital due to “his conduct.” The female subject of the incident is a former employee of the hospital.

According to public records, Pettit conducted a thorough investigation and concluded that Bennett’s use of force was justified. He also noted in his report that Dockter had limited information when Bennett attempted to detain Boggs.

“Officer Dockter’s intervention appeared to be conducted in good faith based on his minimal knowledge and facts of what had transpired since Deputy Bennett first began his investigation and interactions with Mr. Boggs at [approximately 2:36 p.m.],” Pettit stated in his report.

Pettit’s report outlines 10 reasons the man was potentially a threat to law enforcement, including a danger-threat tag from dispatch, previous incidents, alcohol use and weapons being located within the home.

“Upon further review, Deputy Bennett’s use of force appears permissible to effect a lawful arrest for RCW 9A.76.020 – Obstructing a law enforcement officer, as well as to effect a lawful detainment to protect against an imminent threat to the deputy and/or another person,” Pettit stated.

Bennett has been completely exonerated from wrongdoing.

“As a result of not being detained, Boggs continued to escalate and create a chaotic scene for other first responders,” Pettit stated.

“Deputy Bennett appeared to remain calm, collected, and acted professionally during the course of his actions,” Pettit also stated.