FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (printable version)

June 21, 2011

Two Officers Sworn In as One Retires 

MONROE – On Tuesday, June 21, 2011, the Monroe Police Department celebrated the hiring of two officers at a swearing in ceremony that was performed by Judge Steve Clough in front of the City Council and Mayor Zimmerman.

Officer Reed Jones, who was hired as a lateral officer from King County, grew up in West Texas and later moved to Washington where he attended the University of Washington receiving a bachelor’s degree in business finance. Officer Jones had been a deputy with the King County Sheriff’s Office since April of 2009 and was laid off at the end of 2010.  The department was very fortunate to hire Officer Jones through the lateral testing process to fill a vacant; budgeted police officer position.

Also recognized is Officer Javier Patton who began his career with our department in December 2007 after serving with the King County Sheriff’s Office. In September of 2010, he resigned his position in lieu of lay off to accept another law enforcement position. When a retirement occurred in the department in May, Officer Patton requested to be reinstated. Officer Patton is known for his high work ethic values and his Spanish skills that he uses with the community and to assist his peers. He consistently proved himself to be a valuable asset to the department and has been recognized with multiple awards to include a life saving award in 2010. We are very fortunate and privileged to be able to bring Officer Patton back to fill this vacated officer position.

On May 6, 2011, Officer Sahlstrom retired from the Monroe Police Department after 20 years of service. He brought qualities of perseverance, passion, and dedication to the job, which was shown through his consistently high work performance as well as the various awards and accolades he received throughout his career. The City of Monroe is grateful for Officer Sahlstrom’s years of service. He made Monroe a better place by keeping top quality law  enforcement service as his consistent goal and he will be greatly missed.

For additional information on this press release, contact Administrative Director

Debbie Willis.

MONROE – On Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 3:42 pm, the Monroe Police Department’s ProAct Team and Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) executed a third and final search warrant in an ongoing investigation into the theft and trading of firearms for heroin in Monroe.

On February 22nd, the ProAct Team learned of several firearms that had been stolen from a residence in the 22900 block of 105th St SE, Monroe.

Search Warrants and Arrests:

• February 23rd – Search warrant executed on a residence in the 21800 block of 132nd St SE, Monroe. Five stolen guns were recovered along with ammunition, heroin, scales, packaging, drug paraphernalia and cash. Daniel J. Krempl, age 23 of Monroe was stopped by officers as he was leaving his residence prior to the warrant service. Krempl was taken to the Snohomish County Jail for booking on multiple weapons charges.
• February 25th - Tyler T. Wagner, age 25 of Monroe was arrested and taken to the Snohomish County Jail for booking. Charges of Theft of a Firearm (Nine Counts) and Unlawful Possession of Firearm (Nine Counts) were forwarded to the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office.
• March 1st – Search warrant executed on two residences in the 12800 block of 198th St SE, Snohomish. Three stolen guns were recovered along with a 30-plant marijuana grow. Scotty W. Kane, age 31 of Snohomish was taken into custody and released. Charges have been forwarded to the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office.
• March 9th – Search warrant executed on a residence in the 17700 block of Tester Road, Monroe. During the search of the residence, officers seized guns, stolen gun parts and ammunition. In addition, officers found heroin, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, prescription drugs, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia and cash inside the residence. Two passenger cars and a motorcycle were also seized. Jason N. Zimmerman, age 26 of Monroe was placed into custody for Possession with Intent to Deliver and taken to the Snohomish County Jail for booking. The Monroe Police Department is continuing with this investigation.

For additional information on this media release, contact Administrative Director Debbie Willis at 360-794- 6300.
To download click here.

MONROE – On Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 1:22 pm, Monroe police officers responded to the report of an assault by an inmate to a counselor in the Special Offenders Unit (SOU), Washington State Reformatory, Monroe. Upon arrival, officers found a 42-year-old female victim that had been assaulted in a counseling room by an inmate. The booth officer observed the counselor waving her arm to get his attention. He then called for assistance on the radio. Several Corrections Officers along with the Quick Strike Response Team (QSRT) responded to the assault and managed to free her from the inmate’s grip. He was then taken to segregation. The victim said the inmate had come into the office and asked her for a pen. He then attacked her from behind, placing both arms around her neck. He was still holding the pen that she had given him in his left hand. The victim knew the suspect and had met with him the previous night for a counseling session.

Officers’ interviewed the suspect, Darrel C. Holm, a 44-year-old male who is reportedly scheduled to be released from prison some time in 2011. He admitted to the assault on the counselor, saying “I want a third strike.” He led officers to believe he will continue this kind of behavior until he gets a third strike. Officers were told that the SOU was in modified lock down at the time of the assault.

The counselor sustained minor injuries and was seen by a nurse on site. Assault charges will be forwarded to the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office.

For additional information on this media release, contact Administrative Director Debbie Willis at 360-794-6300.
To download click here.

MONROE – On Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 7:22 am, the Monroe Police Department ProAct and Special Emergency Response (SERT) Teams served search warrants on two residences located in the 700 block of Maple St and the 18600 block of Blueberry Lane in Monroe. The search warrants were obtained as part of an on-going heroin distribution investigation. During the search of the residences, officers seized heroin, marijuana, prescription pills, cash, packaging materials and drug paraphernalia. Two motorcycles were also seized. A total of four males (two from each residence) were taken into custody.

Jacob Nieves, age 23 of Monroe was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute/Deliver and Obstruction-Resisting an Officer. Dustin Nieves, age 24 and Daniel Krempl, age 23 of Monroe were charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute/Deliver. All three were taken to the Snohomish County jail for booking. An additional arrest of a 22-year-old male from Snohomish was made on a Department of Corrections Violation. While investigators were at the scene, two additional males stopped by to make purchases. They were placed under arrest and charges will be forwarded to the prosecutor.

For additional information on this media release, contact Administrative Director Debbie Willis at 360-794-6300.
To download click here.

MONROE – Monroe Police Chief Tim Quenzer announces the 2010 police department employee awards:

• “Distinguished Service” Award - Officer James Tolbert for his exceptional work as a driving force in proactive criminal enforcement.
• The “Chief’s Award” – Investigative Support Monica Sandoval for her outstanding contributions in seeking to connect and help the Hispanic community in Monroe.
• Letters of Commendation – To the Special Emergency Response Team for the successful planning and execution of several high-risk search warrants in 2010. Members of the team are:
  SERT Commander Rick Dunn, Officer Chuck Fuller, Detective Barry Hatch, Officer Max Michel, Officer Kelly Pitts, Detective Spencer Robinson, Officer Justin Springer, Officer Tim Walker and Officer Reid Weaver.
• Letter of Commendation – Officer Max Michel for providing three years of excellent service in his role as School Resource Officer and personal safety instructor.
• Special Recognition for Excellence in Service – Chief’s coins were awarded to Sergeant Cindy Chessie, Detective Tim Buzzell, Detective Barry Hatch, Detective Spencer Robinson, Investigative Support Monica Sandoval, Sergeant Rick Dunn and Evidence Technician Julie Stuvland for their work on the Angela Petiffer homicide case.
• Several individuals were also recognized for their years of service to the department. Of special note was Administrative Manager Sherri Simonson who was recognized for twenty (20) years of service with the Monroe Police Department.

For additional information on this media release, contact Administrative Director Debbie Willis 360-863-4579.
For a printable version click here.