Police officer crashes, ends up in hot water
By Terry Murry on Friday, February 19th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Featured Stories More Top Stories
PASCO – A Soap Lake police officer is accused of driving under the influence when he wrecked a patrol car and resisted arrest. The crash happened Thursday night north of Pasco on Highway 395. Soap Lake Reserve Officer Shane Jones, 49, who has since been fired by that department allegedly tried to release his K9, Basco, to attack the deputies during the arrest.
Jones was hired by the Soap Lake Police Department four months ago as a reserve officer. He had previously served 25 years as a deputy for the Okanagon County Sheriff’s Office. In a news release, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office stated that Jones had to be taken into custody by force.
The Soap Lake Police Department has fired Jones.
“Since the police vehicle was used for unauthorized travel, the Soap Lake Police Department, supported by agency policy regarding reserve officers, immediately terminated the reserve officer for unauthorized use of the police vehicle,” a news release from SLPD states.
In addition, the Washington State Patrol is investigating Jones for a hit-and-run investigation that occurred earlier in the day. Police Chief Ryan Cox said his department is cooperating with both the WSP and the Franklin County investigations.
“I am deeply troubled by this now former reserve officer’s behavior,” Cox wrote in the news release posted on Facebook. “This individual violated department policy and the law, and betrayed the public’s trust and our agency standards. Absolutely no one is above the law, especially police officers. The Soap Lake Police department is treating – and will continue to treat – this serious incident both professionally and transparently.”
K-9 Basco was not injured in the crash.
Photo from before Jones and Basco had retired from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office.
