A sheriff in Washington state is under scrutiny after it appears he hassled a newspaper delivery man for simply doing his job. Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer called 911 in January, saying a newspaper delivery man threatened him. But Troyer later recanted the claim when talking to Tacoma police.
According to The Seattle Times’ Jim Brunner and Lewis Kamb, the whole thing started because the sheriff, who is white, was following Sedrick Altheimer, a Black newspaper carrier, while Altheimer was on his morning route. Altheimer said he stopped during his route and asked Troyer why he was following him. Troyer, who was not in a police car and did not identify himself as a sheriff, accused Altheimer of trying to steal packages from house porches.
Altheimer got back in his car and continued to deliver the paper while Troyer continued to follow him. There was another confrontation, at which point Troyer called 911 and said someone was threatening to kill him. More than 40 officers showed up at the scene. Altheimer was searched for weapons and told police he was a delivery man, showing police the newspapers in his car.
Troyer reportedly told police on the scene that Altheimer didn’t threaten him but that it was clear Altheimer “wanted to fight.” Police did not detain Altheimer.
Troyer is now under fire locally for his actions that night. The Seattle Times editorial board is calling on Troyer to apologize, and others in the community want him to resign. As of Tuesday, Troyer had put out a statement saying, “I am saddened to learn that Mr. Altheimer felt he was treated in an unfair manner.” But he never did apologize.
Troyer then complained about The Seattle Times, telling KIRO Radio, “They didn’t let me respond to some of their accusations, they clearly guided it in one direction. I believe that can possibly be attributed to, and I believe it’s been made very clear on this show and other shows and throughout my election that I said I will not let Pierce County become King County, and I hope our area doesn’t become like Seattle. I don’t think they like me to begin with, because it seems like every time I have a conversation with The Seattle Times, it’s adversarial.”
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