Should Benton Co. pay for Sheriff Hatcher’s recall fight? ‘Hell no,’ says commissioner

Benton County Commissioner Shon Small had long been a supporter of Sheriff Jerry Hatcher, even endorsing him in two elections.

On Tuesday, Small didn’t hold back in saying he’s embarrassed to even be connected to his former co-worker and boss.

Hatcher has tarnished the badge, he said, and does not deserve to have the county cover his legal fees in fighting a recall petition brought by a sheriff’s sergeant.

“The things that he’s been doing (in the sheriff’s office) are completely wrong ...,” said Small, who worked in the department for two decades. “So in regards to actually us paying for anything from the hard taxpayers’ money, for the conduct that has been presented and carried out by Sheriff Hatcher, I not only say no, but I also say hell no.”

“I’m not going to pay for anything,” he added. “I wish he would actually resign, step down, disappear and live happily ever after in his place in Montana or wherever else.”

Small said he is greatly disappointed and crushed that it has come to this, but several “very, very valuable, very professional employees” have left in recent years because of Hatcher. Additionally, the conduct that has been placed in the public’s eye “has been completely unacceptable,” he said.

Hatcher, as a county official, asked the county board to pay for his legal defense.

Request denied

Like Small, Chairman Jim Beaver and Commissioner Jerome Delvin said they would not approve the use of county money to provide representation to Hatcher in the recall effort.

“I would just say no to it,” Delvin said Tuesday during the board’s weekly meeting. “I’ve made mistakes in my life, as we all do, but the one mistake that I really regret is appointing him as the (sheriff). But I didn’t have anyone tell me no. He wasn’t like he turned out to be.”

Beaver agreed with Small that “it’s just embarrassing” what has been happening. He said he’s answered at least 60 emails from people, and not one of them “had a kind word, so I take that to heart.”

“It is a situation that has tarnished the county, and when that happens it tarnishes the whole organization,” said Beaver. “I’m not interested in defending him or paying for his defense or any of that stuff.”

Prosecutor Andy Miller brought Hatcher’s request before the commissioner.

He said there is no case law on whether the county needs to approve covering Hatcher’s legal costs, adding that the decision is not connected to their support of the recall effort.

Commissioners have sent a few letters to the Benton County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild saying they support the employees who first passed a no-confidence vote and then a recall vote.

Recall petition

The recall petition was brought by Sgt. Jason Erickson, who accused his boss of committing illegal acts and performing the duties of his office in an improper manner.

His 317-page petition, including attachments and exhibits, alleges 26 violations of Washington state law and the sheriff’s oath of office.

Last Friday, the county prosecutor’s office filed a ballot synopsis, and called for a court hearing on the eight alleged charges in the document.

A Superior Court judge must determine if the allegations that Hatcher committed misfeasance, malfeasance and violated his oath of office are factually and legally sufficient to support a recall.

The hearing is scheduled Aug. 13.

Judge Bruce Spanner had agreed to hear the case, but the petitioner has filed a motion to have him removed and another judge assigned. In February, Spanner dismissed a recall petition against Kennewick Mayor Don Britain.

As an elected official, Hatcher can only be removed from office in a county election. He also can step down voluntarily before his term is up.

Hatcher has 2 1/2 years left in his current four-year term. He was first appointed sheriff in May 2017 following the retirement of Steve Keane.

This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 12:39 PM.