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SWAT called out when Yolo County deputy fires gun while drunk
By Lizeth Cazares
Woodland Daily Democrat
Posted: 08/05/2009 09:30:55 AM PDT
Updated: 08/05/2009 09:30:56 AM PDT
Yolo County Sheriff's Sgt. Jonathan Key is under administrative leave from the department after West Sacramento police and SWAT team members were called to his house on reports he was shooting a gun.
West Sacramento officers arrived at Key's house at 12:35 a.m. Sunday, after neighbors reported hearing gunshots coming from the residence.
West Sac Police Lt. Tom Bowler said a neighbor told officials he saw Key in his backyard with a gun.
When officers arrived they tried to make contact with Key by calling to him and knocking on his door. After some time, officers called for the SWAT team who set up a perimeter around the house.
The SWAT team call out was "due to the fact that there were gun shots and we couldn't contact him," Bowler said.
It was after the SWAT team set up its perimeter that one officer saw Key lying on the floor of his house through a window. Key was found highly intoxicated and unconscious. He was sent to a hospital, Bowler said.
Key reportedly shot one of his two dogs during the episode. Both dogs were taken by Yolo County Animal Control for their safety. Their condition was not known.
Key was by himself during the incident as well, Bowler said, noting that a woman did live in Key's house, but was not there at the time he was firing his weapon. Their relationship was not known.
A handgun belonging to the Yolo County Sheriff's Department was recovered from the scene.
An neighbor,
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who wished to remain unidentified, said she heard the gunshots but didn't know what happened. Early Sunday morning, her daughter woke her up claiming to hear gunshots and a man crying.
The woman said she stayed in her daughter's room to calm her down and they both heard what they assumed was the police using a megaphone to contact someone in the residence.
Bowler said that Key was not arrested at that time. As per law enforcement protocol, he said, officers left Key at the hospital and then prepared a report for the District Attorney's Office to recommend charges, if any.
"Due to his level of intoxication he had to go to the hospital," Bowler said. "Generally, in cases where we have a suspect — depending on the crime — (and that person) needs medical treatment we release them at the hospital if he's going to be there for an extended period of time."
Bowler said it is impractical to have officers at the hospital for hours or days waiting until the suspect is released to arrest him or her. Instead, the West Sacramento Police will send a report to the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney then decides whether or not to charge the suspect. At the Woodland Police Department, Sgt. Anthony Cucchi said that depending on the severity of the crime, officers wait until the suspect is checked out and then arrest them.
If it's a lesser crime, such as a misdemeanor, they issue them a citation right there — but it depends on the severity of the crime. "Like if it's a murder suspect, we stay with that suspect," he said.
But generally, the suspect gets medical treatment and is then booked.
According to a representative of the DA's Office, a report of the incident has yet to be received. Bowler said he expects to send the report on Wednesday.
Bowler said Key could face charges of animal cruelty and unlawfully discharging his firearm.
Detective Lance Faille of the Yolo County Sheriff's Department said the department would have no comment other than to note that Key was put on administrative leave.
Key has been with the Sheriff's Department since 1992, when he was a cadet. He was later promoted to pull time deputy in 1996, and sergeant in 2003. Key has worked as a court bailiff, transportation deputy, patrol deputy, Knights Landing resident deputy, Capay augmented patrol deputy, and field training officer.
SWAT called out when Yolo County deputy fires gun while drunk
By Lizeth Cazares
Woodland Daily Democrat
Posted: 08/05/2009 09:30:55 AM PDT
Updated: 08/05/2009 09:30:56 AM PDT
Yolo County Sheriff's Sgt. Jonathan Key is under administrative leave from the department after West Sacramento police and SWAT team members were called to his house on reports he was shooting a gun.
West Sacramento officers arrived at Key's house at 12:35 a.m. Sunday, after neighbors reported hearing gunshots coming from the residence.
West Sac Police Lt. Tom Bowler said a neighbor told officials he saw Key in his backyard with a gun.
When officers arrived they tried to make contact with Key by calling to him and knocking on his door. After some time, officers called for the SWAT team who set up a perimeter around the house.
The SWAT team call out was "due to the fact that there were gun shots and we couldn't contact him," Bowler said.
It was after the SWAT team set up its perimeter that one officer saw Key lying on the floor of his house through a window. Key was found highly intoxicated and unconscious. He was sent to a hospital, Bowler said.
Key reportedly shot one of his two dogs during the episode. Both dogs were taken by Yolo County Animal Control for their safety. Their condition was not known.
Key was by himself during the incident as well, Bowler said, noting that a woman did live in Key's house, but was not there at the time he was firing his weapon. Their relationship was not known.
A handgun belonging to the Yolo County Sheriff's Department was recovered from the scene.
An neighbor,
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who wished to remain unidentified, said she heard the gunshots but didn't know what happened. Early Sunday morning, her daughter woke her up claiming to hear gunshots and a man crying.
The woman said she stayed in her daughter's room to calm her down and they both heard what they assumed was the police using a megaphone to contact someone in the residence.
Bowler said that Key was not arrested at that time. As per law enforcement protocol, he said, officers left Key at the hospital and then prepared a report for the District Attorney's Office to recommend charges, if any.
"Due to his level of intoxication he had to go to the hospital," Bowler said. "Generally, in cases where we have a suspect — depending on the crime — (and that person) needs medical treatment we release them at the hospital if he's going to be there for an extended period of time."
Bowler said it is impractical to have officers at the hospital for hours or days waiting until the suspect is released to arrest him or her. Instead, the West Sacramento Police will send a report to the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney then decides whether or not to charge the suspect. At the Woodland Police Department, Sgt. Anthony Cucchi said that depending on the severity of the crime, officers wait until the suspect is checked out and then arrest them.
If it's a lesser crime, such as a misdemeanor, they issue them a citation right there — but it depends on the severity of the crime. "Like if it's a murder suspect, we stay with that suspect," he said.
But generally, the suspect gets medical treatment and is then booked.
According to a representative of the DA's Office, a report of the incident has yet to be received. Bowler said he expects to send the report on Wednesday.
Bowler said Key could face charges of animal cruelty and unlawfully discharging his firearm.
Detective Lance Faille of the Yolo County Sheriff's Department said the department would have no comment other than to note that Key was put on administrative leave.
Key has been with the Sheriff's Department since 1992, when he was a cadet. He was later promoted to pull time deputy in 1996, and sergeant in 2003. Key has worked as a court bailiff, transportation deputy, patrol deputy, Knights Landing resident deputy, Capay augmented patrol deputy, and field training officer.
