Open Letter To Community

On November 29, 2021, at 8:32 p.m., Columbia County Sheriff's Office Deputy Riley Conahan was off-duty and shopping for groceries at the IGA. While shopping, Deputy Conahan saw Jessica Wallingford in the store. Deputy Conahan knew Wallingford from warrant lists and photos as circulated by the Sheriff's Office, and knew that Wallingford had ten active warrants out of five different jurisdictions. While still at the store, Deputy Conahan called Columbia County Dispatch to have an on-duty deputy respond and arrest Wallingford on the ten active warrants; unfortunately, one deputy was involved in a suicide intervention call, and only one other deputy was available to respond. Deputy Conahan continued to silently monitor Wallingford, then saw Wallingford move to the checkout line, waiting for the on-duty deputy to respond, but keeping her in his sight. He then went to his vehicle, as he was unsure when the on-duty deputy would be able to respond. He retrieved his firearm and handcuffs, in case he was the only law enforcement official available to arrest Wallingford before she fled. As he re-entered the store to continue to watch Wallingford, he was her heading toward the exit; he confronted her by confirming her identity, and identifying himself and his rank. He told Wallingford that he knew she had ten active warrants, and that he needed to take her into custody. Wallingford then asked if she could give her purse to her girlfriend before being taken into custody on the warrants; since she appeared cooperative, Deputy Conahan told her she could. At that point, Wallingford exited the store, followed by Deputy Conahan. Wallingford then began to run to a vehicle which was being driven by Katelyn Hussey. Deputy Conahan told Wallingford to stop fleeing, or she could be charged with additional crimes for resisting arrest and fleeing. Wallingford then entered Hussey's vehicle and slammed the door. Again, Wallingford had been told of her ten warrants, and asked to surrender, and then fled under the guise of wanting to give her purse to her girlfriend.

Per training and standard police procedures, Deputy Conahan unholstered his weapon and pointed it at a 45-degree angle to the ground–this is because when a suspect flees in a vehicle, the vehicle is often used as a weapon against the officer. The window of the vehicle was down, and Deputy Conahan spoke to Hussey, who was in the driver's seat. Conahan told Hussey that Wallingford had ten warrants from five different jurisdictions, and that she needed to allow him to take her into custody. Deputy Conahan also knew Hussey from prior contacts and investigations. While talking to Hussey, Wallingford was telling Hussey to drive away and escape from the arrest.

Deputy Conahan was known to Hussey, and he was clearly visible under a streetlight. Hussey asked to see Conahan's badge and he offered to retrieve it from his pocket if she turned the vehicle off and he was able to divert his attention. At no time during this encounter did Deputy Conahan point his weapon at any individual, or threaten any harm to any individual. He offered to show Hussey his identification, but she immediately reversed the vehicle and then left the IGA parking lot at a high rate of speed. Under current law, law enforcement officers are not allowed to pursue fleeing vehicles unless there is a danger to the public or a violent crime has been committed.

The next day, Conahan went to Hussey's residence seeking Wallingford to arrest her on the warrants, and to charge Hussey for her actions in aiding Wallingford's escape from arrest. When he knocked and identified himself and told Hussey that she was being arrested, she laughed and argued with him, before slamming the door on him and locking the door. Another deputy with Conahan asked Hussey to step outside, and she again refused and demanded that they get a warrant. While deputies were obtaining a warrant, Hussey finally surrendered about ½ an hour later. Wallingford was unable to be located at the residence.

A number of stories have been circulating containing wildly inaccurate facts and misstating the law: notably that Deputy Conahan pointed his weapon at two "scared girls" with "no criminal records," and that off-duty officers are not allowed to arrest individuals with warrants. Under Washington law, off-duty sheriff's deputies have the same authority, and in fact, duty, to enforce the laws as on-duty law enforcement officers. Wallingford has an extensive criminal history, as evidenced by the ten active warrants from five jurisdictions. At no time did Conahan point his weapon at either individual, and only drew his weapon when the vehicle could be used to assault him, as is standard procedure. At no time did Deputy Conahan break any laws, policies, or standard procedures when he attempted to arrest Wallingford on her ten active warrants, or when he arrested Hussey for aiding Wallingford in her escape. The Columbia County Prosecutor's Office has reviewed the reports and evidence, and have found that there is probable cause to charge Hussey for rendering criminal assistance to Wallingford in her escape from arrest on her ten active warrants. The Columbia County District Court has found probable cause for the charges as well.

It is not our policy to respond to every Facebook rumor; however, the individuals who have been making these false statements against Deputy Conahan have involved local press, politicians, and others by stirring outrage with misinformation and capitalizing on the national trends to demonize law enforcement officers and whitewash the misdeeds of criminals. It is important that the public knows the truth, and this statement is based on the actual events that occurred, not what someone might wish happened. Hussey and Wallingford will be prosecuted in court, evidence will be presented, and a jury will decide the outcome. We have the utmost faith in the actions of Deputy Conahan, and will proceed accordingly. It is the policy and duty of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office to actively pursue and arrest individuals with outstanding warrants, and we believe the community expects this of us. We appreciate the support that the community has shown in this matter.

Joe Helm

Sheriff

C. Dale Slack

Prosecuting Attorney