Nisqually police officer arrested for allegedly driving drunk
»Play Video
OLYMPIA -- A tribal police officer is on leave after being arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of driving drunk.
A tribal leader called the local police force one of the most respected in the nation, but that reputation is now tarnished with the arrest of one of their own.
Nisqually police officer Shane Sanders was off duty when he was arrested and booked for DUI. The Thurston County sheriff's office said Sanders came flying down the road, swerving and taking out mail boxes along the way.
"It looks like he was really booking," said neighbor Nan Carpenter. "The way the marks are in the grass, he was going fast and the way it leaned I'm surprised he didn't flip his car."
When deputies finally caught up with him, they say Sanders tried to get out of the mess by saying he was a cop.
"I think it's pretty disgusting. I mean here they are supposed to be serving and protecting and they're out there being idiots," said Carpenter.
The Nisqually Tribe calls Sanders an outstanding cop and fellow tribe member.
"Basically, we thought it was unfortunate," said tribe CEO Gorgon Jackson. "He's a stellar member of the community. He's a very good officer."
Sanders bailed out of jail and was put on suspension. He refused to comment on the arrest, but his wife said he's never had any problems with drunk driving. She also said she didn't know if her husband would be able to keep his job.
The neighbors who live near the road where Sanders was finally pulled over say they're just glad nobody was killed.
"So if he had taken and gone in the other direction and they happen to have all of their grandkids there, somebody would have been going to the funeral parlor today," said Paul Carpenter.
The sheriff's office said Sanders refused to take a breathalizer test, but his blood was drawn later to check his alcohol content.
His first court appearance is set for Monday.
A tribal leader called the local police force one of the most respected in the nation, but that reputation is now tarnished with the arrest of one of their own.
Nisqually police officer Shane Sanders was off duty when he was arrested and booked for DUI. The Thurston County sheriff's office said Sanders came flying down the road, swerving and taking out mail boxes along the way.
"It looks like he was really booking," said neighbor Nan Carpenter. "The way the marks are in the grass, he was going fast and the way it leaned I'm surprised he didn't flip his car."
When deputies finally caught up with him, they say Sanders tried to get out of the mess by saying he was a cop.
"I think it's pretty disgusting. I mean here they are supposed to be serving and protecting and they're out there being idiots," said Carpenter.
The Nisqually Tribe calls Sanders an outstanding cop and fellow tribe member.
"Basically, we thought it was unfortunate," said tribe CEO Gorgon Jackson. "He's a stellar member of the community. He's a very good officer."
Sanders bailed out of jail and was put on suspension. He refused to comment on the arrest, but his wife said he's never had any problems with drunk driving. She also said she didn't know if her husband would be able to keep his job.
The neighbors who live near the road where Sanders was finally pulled over say they're just glad nobody was killed.
"So if he had taken and gone in the other direction and they happen to have all of their grandkids there, somebody would have been going to the funeral parlor today," said Paul Carpenter.
The sheriff's office said Sanders refused to take a breathalizer test, but his blood was drawn later to check his alcohol content.
His first court appearance is set for Monday.
