Snohomish Co. deputy accused of theft is fired
EVERETT, Wash. - A Snohomish County sheriff's deputy has been fired after he was accused of theft, burglary and malicious mischief.
A sheriff's office spokesperson said James E. Hager, 43, was fired Jan. 2 for violating department policies. He had been a deputy for six years.
He was charged in November in the theft of a wood stove, cedar flooring and other items taken from a vacation property near Skykomish. He was off-duty at the time.
Hager pleaded not guilty and has a court hearing scheduled in April.
An internal investigation determined that Hager had violated department policies, and he was subsequently fired.
A sheriff's office spokesperson said James E. Hager, 43, was fired Jan. 2 for violating department policies. He had been a deputy for six years.
He was charged in November in the theft of a wood stove, cedar flooring and other items taken from a vacation property near Skykomish. He was off-duty at the time.
Hager pleaded not guilty and has a court hearing scheduled in April.
An internal investigation determined that Hager had violated department policies, and he was subsequently fired.
OK, we're making progress, one bad apple at a time.
If there is one commonality between public and private sector jobs, it's that stealing will get you fired quicker than anything.
well this is just great, they throw us a bone once in a while,  a cop steals a wood stove, and he's out (see the system works) meanwhile, other departments, SPD, KC got goons that rack up millions in public payoffs and they keep their jobs? What's a wood stove cost anyways? $600?
Sounds as though he was found guilty.
Some more in-depth KOMO reporting. Â Maybe elaborate on what policies he violated since the case hasn't gone to court yet.
Cue the cop haters in 3...2...1... oops too late.
I'm glad they took the step to do their own investigation and fire him rather than having him get paid leave during the trial.
@oledawg He was on paid leave since May when the allegations were brought to the attention of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
 @Tattooed_Angel Investigations don't happen overnight, the wheels turn slow but they could have just as easily sat there and waited for the trial and outcome before doing anything, at least they ended the paid leave sooner than later.
Everyone needs to wait and see what the facts of this case truly are. I would hope that this (former) deputy just made a big mistake. We in the general public love to jump on a band wagon, but the truth is that a much greater majority of those in law enforcement do an outstanding job. Cops are people too, and there will be times mistakes are made. If this person did what he was accused of, he will need to be held accountable...no greater or less than anyone else found guilty of the same crime.
I am somewhat disturbed by this story. If Mr. Hager is guilty, then he should be dismissed from his position, but he has not yet been found guilty. What did the "internal investigation" find? Can the findings be used against him in court?Â
 @Stu Pid Usually the burden of proof for keeping one's job is less than what is needed in a criminal case.  I'm sure there were other violations as well.
Sounds like he's Seattle Police Dept material.
Well, there must be more to this story. If he did steal those items, he needs to be charged and brought to trial. It seems odd that he was fired for violating department policies, not directly for theft. I would think that a major crime would automatically be a violation of department policies, but the charge would be theft. Oh wait, perhaps getting caught is the violation (of department policies), which is much worse than just committing the crime of burglary.   Â
lawyers arent an authority figure but you get my point...lol
anyone who has a job of authority (cops judges lawyers etc) should be sentenced to twice the maximum sentence for the crime the commitÂ
if your job is too enforce laws which you are not even capable of following then you need to be fired
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period.
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that is the issue with dui, theft, domestic violence anything period.
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you are not just another citizen if you are in law enforcement. Â You don't get the same treatment. Â You are paid by citizens tax dollars to uphold the laws and you must be held to a standard which means you will hold yourself accountable to the laws which you are paid to uphold.
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If not able to then don't become a police officer or is you already are, don't be surprised when you are fired.
 @sunnysandiego A quick point of clarification though... One should be fired for being accused, or convicted?
Enforcing laws--just not following them. Sorry, but you can't trust a cop, anymore.
With him being only accused and if found not guilty, will he get his job back, or is there something else that he did to violated department policies?
Good! People that are hired to uphold the law should be held at a higher standard in my opinion. By stealing property that does not belong to him only tells me that he has zero integrity for the law and that being a police officer is definitely the one job he should not be doing.
now if KIng County could only s***can deptuy Matt Paul
@Dhnr Why? Oh right he doesn't coddle felons...
so were there other unnamed policies that he violated, or is the burglary considered a department policy violation?Â
Dang, a deputy that was held accoutable..............excellent news