The King County Sheriff’s Office detective caught on video pulling a gun during a Shoreline traffic stop was identified by the agency as Richard Rowe.
Rowe, 53, is assigned to the Woodinville Police Department. Woodinville contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services.
Rowe is a nearly 19-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office.
He was suspended Tuesday morning after a motorcyclist released a video in which Rowe sneaks up from behind him at a red light near the Shoreline-Seattle border, pointing a gun and demanding to see his identification.
Rowe is seen threatening to knock the motorcyclist, Alex Randall, off his bike and accusing him of riding more than 100 mph.
The incident occurred Aug. 16.
Records and a recording connected to the call show that Rowe checked Randall’s license plate and record with dispatchers and Randall’s motorcycle and history returned clear. The interaction was labeled as a traffic stop and was recorded as lasting from 11:41 to 11:44 a.m.
Randall said he was upset and angry but unhurt. He was not cited. He claimed to have lodged several complaints with various Sheriff’s Office oversight agencies.
Rowe is on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the matter.
He made $101,706.97 in 2016, according to Sheriff’s Office compensation records.
“I was deeply disturbed with the conduct and tactics that were recorded,” Sheriff John Urquhart wrote in a Facebook statement Tuesday. “… In every encounter I expect my deputies to treat others with respect.”
The Sheriff’s Office says it will investigate Rowe’s actions and allow the King County Prosecutor’s Office to review the incident for possible criminal charges.
Source: http://www.seattlepi.com