Then-Pierce County Sheriff’s Dept. spokesperson Ed Troyer, now the county’s sheriff, answers questions during a news conference, Feb. 18, 2020, in Tacoma. The… (Ted S. Warren / AP) More
Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer, who is white, a Trump supporter makes false allegations claiming that an African American driver, 24-year-old Sedrick Altheimer who was busy doing his job threatened to kill him.
“I’m throwing papers out the window, left and right, both windows are down … and I see this SUV hit the block,” Altheimer told the Times. He said he didn’t realize it was the county sheriff following him in the unmarked vehicle.
The driver of the SUV continued to monitor him as he stopped at various houses along his route, Altheimer said.
“I continue what I’m doing, because, you know, I’m working,” he told the Times. “I’m not doing any harm to the neighborhood. I work here every night.”
At one point, after dropping off a paper at one of the houses on his route, Altheimer said he walked over to the SUV and asked why he was being followed. Troyer didn’t identify himself, said Altheimer, who thought Troyer looked familiar but didn’t recognize him as the sheriff.
It was obvious that the Sheriff was following the innocent African American man that we just doing his job. Instead, Troyer called 911, alleging he had “caught someone in my driveway who just threatened to kill me.” The call was dispatched at the highest priority, prompting over 40 deputies and officers to respond, according to an incident report filed by a Tacoma police officer.
The officer, Chad Lawless, said Altheimer identified himself as a newspaper delivery driver after police arrived on the scene. The back seat of Altheimer’s car was “filled with newspapers,” according to the report. An officer frisked Altheimer and found no weapons.
Troyer told police that he had been at home in bed when he heard a noise and observed Altheimer pulling in and out of driveways. Troyer said he got into his personal vehicle and attempted to make contact with Altheimer, according to the incident report.
This type of lies and false allegations made against African Americans and calling the police with the hope that the police will carry out their racist intentions is not new, but what is new is the frequencies and that non of these false allegations are ever held accountable.
