An independent investigation commissioned by the Pierce County Council into the conduct of Pierce County sheriff Ed Troyer determined Troyer violated several department policies and standards when he followed and engaged with a newspaper carrier in January in a report released Tuesday.
The newspaper carrier, Sedrick Altheimer, filed a federal lawsuit against Troyer over the confrontation.
Altheimer was working his regular delivery route Jan. 27 when Troyer began following him in his car around 2 a.m., police reports say.
Altheimer continued working the route, noticing that a car was following him. After stopping at a house, Altheimer approached the car to find out why he was being followed.
Altheimer went up to the car and began talking to Troyer, who he did not recognize as the sheriff. He asked Troyer if he was a cop, and Troyer did not identify himself as law enforcement, according to the AG’s office.
Troyer continued to ask Altheimer questions and accused him of being a thief, documents say. Altheimer returned to his car and drove away and Troyer continued following.
Around 2:05 a.m., Troyer called 911 and reported that he caught someone in his driveway who “just threatened to kill me,” according to 911 records.
Over 40 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies responded. Altheimer denied making any threats to Troyer, blocking Troyer’s car or entering his driveway.
When questioned that night, Troyer walked back his initial claim that Altheimer had threatened him, according to police reports.
The investigation was unable to determine if Troyer’s claim that Altheimer threatened to kill or harm him during the incident was factual.