State trooper accused of DUI, hit-and-run and eluding police
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TACOMA, Wash. -- State patrol troopers got quite a shock Sunday when the reckless driver they were chasing turned out to be one of their own.
Trooper David Bertholf had been a top trooper when it came to nabbing drunk drivers, and now he's accused of driving drunk himself.
Berthofl isn't just accused of driving drunk, either. He's also facing charges of hit and run and eluding after troopers say he tried to outrun them.
"We're extremely disappointed in the actions and decision-making of this particular employee," said WSP Capt. Rob Huss.
Investigators say Berthofl was driving near Tacoma on Sunday afternoon when he side-swiped a car that had slowed for a traffic jam.
Witnesses say Bertholf went around into the median. They followed him until troopers closed in. Despite the lights and sirens, troopers say Bertholf didn't stop. When he finally did pull over, the troopers were shocked to learn he was a co-worker.
Even after he stopped, troopers say they had to wait 10 minutes for Bertholf to get out of his car.
"The response from the troopers that went to the scene and made the apprehension show that if you're intoxicated in this state, we don't care who you are," Huss said. "We're going to do our job. It's expected of us and it's what we're committed to doing."
A 20-year veteran, Bertholf has received numerous awards for drunk driving prevention in both Pierce and Kitsap counties. In 1994, he was given an award for returning to work after he recovered from serious injuries in a head-on crash on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Recently, he'd been attached to a K-9 unit working with Homeland Security to keep ferries safe. But with Sunday's arrest, WSP officials say it's possible his law enforcement career is over.
"There's a high likelihood," Huss said. "It's very difficult for somebody, rightfully so, to fulfill a position in law enforcement when you have these types of serious allegations in place."
Bertholf is currently being held on $35,000 bail. His attorney said the trooper's family has already arranged for him to enter an inpatient substance abuse treatment program in Eastern Washington.
Trooper David Bertholf had been a top trooper when it came to nabbing drunk drivers, and now he's accused of driving drunk himself.
Berthofl isn't just accused of driving drunk, either. He's also facing charges of hit and run and eluding after troopers say he tried to outrun them.
"We're extremely disappointed in the actions and decision-making of this particular employee," said WSP Capt. Rob Huss.
Investigators say Berthofl was driving near Tacoma on Sunday afternoon when he side-swiped a car that had slowed for a traffic jam.
Witnesses say Bertholf went around into the median. They followed him until troopers closed in. Despite the lights and sirens, troopers say Bertholf didn't stop. When he finally did pull over, the troopers were shocked to learn he was a co-worker.
Even after he stopped, troopers say they had to wait 10 minutes for Bertholf to get out of his car.
"The response from the troopers that went to the scene and made the apprehension show that if you're intoxicated in this state, we don't care who you are," Huss said. "We're going to do our job. It's expected of us and it's what we're committed to doing."
A 20-year veteran, Bertholf has received numerous awards for drunk driving prevention in both Pierce and Kitsap counties. In 1994, he was given an award for returning to work after he recovered from serious injuries in a head-on crash on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Recently, he'd been attached to a K-9 unit working with Homeland Security to keep ferries safe. But with Sunday's arrest, WSP officials say it's possible his law enforcement career is over.
"There's a high likelihood," Huss said. "It's very difficult for somebody, rightfully so, to fulfill a position in law enforcement when you have these types of serious allegations in place."
Bertholf is currently being held on $35,000 bail. His attorney said the trooper's family has already arranged for him to enter an inpatient substance abuse treatment program in Eastern Washington.
I'm sorry, but law enforcement in this state is a huge let down. Here's how he can get out of this: Claim he is an alcoholic just like that cop up north. Get some paid leave, then get your job back. Us citizens better not get caught drinking and driving for any reason at all, but if its a cop, he'll get off because alcohol made him powerless, you know, unlike the rest of us. I have buddies from the ARMY that were in charge of picking up blown up body parts but they don't get special treatment when they mess up. If fact the punishment in the military in my experience is always more severe, regardless of your job. Just like in the military, I think if a cop messes up, the maximum sentence should be the minimum.
These guys are in no win situations everyday. I have never been in law enforcement but I can't imagine the stress levels. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. How easy we forget they are just human? If this were a supreme court justice you could hear the cries of forgiveness from the masses. He made a huge mistake. Give him treatment, punish him with a demotion, and give him some credit for all the lives he has saved.
It is a sad day indeed for our country when people like all of you convict and hang a person before they have had the right to a fair and impartial trial. Â David Bertholf is a wonderful man and father who has had a stellar career with the WSP. Â If he committed this offense, he is obviously suffering from a serious problem for which he needs treatment, not public recrimination. Why don't you people get lives and let the system handle this. Meanwhile, why don't you look yourselves in the mirror and ask, Have I ever made a mistake? If I do, do I want to be hung in the town square without due process? If the answer is yes, there are many other countries that would love to have you. Our system is not perfect, but it is sure better than this ridiculous blog.
 @GHboaters5 Well fortunately this blog is just the opinions of those who post here. We are free to have our own opinion and to state it as well. Right now I'm of the opinion that the only difference between this dangerous drunk hitting occupied vehicles and trying to flee the scene and the other dangerous drunks hitting occupied vehicles and trying to flee the scene is that this one carries a badge, gun, and has free reign to make decisions that may or may not permanently impact those around him.
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Do the other intoxicated hit and run drivers get the benefit of the doubt, offered treatment, and given a pass? No, they get $10k in fines, jail time, their names in the paper, and the stigma of a crime on their records for the rest of their life. I personally know about a dozen people who have been denied regular office jobs because they had a DUI 10 years or more ago.
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So in that regard, we are free to make our voices heard. If it has an outcome on this case and this "officer" is removed from his duties, then all the better for society. You and your kind that apologize for bad cops are the primary force that enables most of them to exist.Â
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For every cop that reads this and gets mad, you better realize that my opinion is becoming more and more in the mainstream. If you want to change the opinion of the public then do something about the bullies you work with. Bad cops don't exist without the indifference of the good ones around them. Maybe when we stop hearing about and observing first hand the callous indifference or outright offensive actions of the police on a daily basis, we'll have some sympathy for you. Until then, we'll push to have the book thrown at every one of you that makes a "mistake."
Apple does not fall far from the tree. Sure takes one to know one.
What, no one shot him in the back 5 times for being drunk and belligerent and refusing to leave a vehicle that could be construed as a weapon in the wrong hands?What happened to public safety first? Oops, I'm thinking of Snohomish County.
Respect has to be earned. It's not a given just because of the uniform you wear. If these guys want the public's respect then it is up to them to maintain a higher standard and set an example. It is human to make mistakes, but there are also consequences to be paid and this guy needs to pay the consequences since he chose to do what he did. Hopefully he will get the help he needs and be able to get on with his life in some other profession. That close to retirement it is a major consequence but when he chose to drive drunk and disregard the law he has no one to blame but himself.
And people wonder why I said should not be a trooper if they occasionally take a pain pills from friends, look what is done when they take legal substances!!!!!
Why is he on PAID leave?
 @dorimonsonfan  "Troopers say they had to wait 10 minutes for Bertholf to get out of his car."  Why was he given 10 minutes to get out of his car?  Don't they usually forcefully remove the driver or shoot them?  He's already received special treatment.  I'm sick of this "he's one of us" mentality among law enforcement.  I'll give 10 to 1 odds that something was done to get his charges thrown out on a technicality. Â
Just a sign of the times really. As things continue to deteriorate here in the states, substance abuse will go up. Officers are under a lot of pressure to fill their quotas and not get caught abusing people. If he was getting a lot of anxiety he should have just smoked some cannabis instead of going the destructive alchol path.
I'm sure he will plead "not guilty"
I am surpised by all of the callous and vitriolic statements here. Everyone makes mistakes, some of which will change their lives forever.  Celebrating someone's hardships (who you don't even know) seems to be a very sad way to spend your time. Trooper Bertholf has a family and friends who I'm sure are suffering and this kind of commentary only serves to wound them more. For all the feedback here I am curious how many of you have never made poor decisions while drinking. Perhaps this should be an opportunity to remember that we are all fallible and that forgiveness is a far greater choice than resentment.
 @Terra Curley Forget returning to work. I want to see jail time. This was not just a DUI. It was a DUI, hit and run of an occupied vehicle, and felony eluding... If it was anyone other than a cop, you'd do at least a year or two in jail and lose your rights to vote and own firearms. I'm sick of the police getting an exemption from the "justice" system that they work so hard to impose on the rest of us. It's time to instill double or even triple the penalty for those who violate the law under the color of authority.
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Justice served in this case would be 3 years in jail, loss of license for another 2 years, removal of rights to own firearms (so he can never work in law enforcement again anywhere else), and the permanent stigma of a felony so he can see how much fun it is to try to find meaningful work when you've been convicted of a crime.
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I'm all for forgiveness when there's enough to go around for everyone and when the person is actually deserving of it. This officer violated the public trust, damaged private property, and then tried to escape responsibility while endangering the rest of us. You ask for forgiveness? Maybe when justice means more than "just us."
@Root Please That makes plenty of sense to me.
 @Terra Curley Terra, there is not enough empathy or forgiveness in the world, and none of it tends to pool around the comment boards here or anywhere on the internet. Thanks for posting that. I think he deserves a fair shot at a decent life while serving an appropriate sentence for the crimes he committed (after he is convicted, of course). I do not think he should be allowed to work in law enforcement any longer.
@Terra Curley  While I agree that "Everyone makes mistakes" (se my post right below yours) and I agree that "forgiveness is a far greater choice than resentment", that forgiveness should not include Bertholf ever going back to a LEO position let alone the WSP. He has now forfitted that priviledge.
Alcohol abuse is so prevalent in our society that this should not be a surprise but still I find it hard to believe that someone who has seen the aftermath of drunk driving like this officer had to do, still would find themselves driving drunk (and i dont mean buzzed...). Hopefully his 20 year service allows him to retire from service but either way, I am sorry but he has now lost the priviledge of being a WSP officer.  Too bad this story is only a day or two after I stated on this forum that the WSP does hold itself to a higher standard. I still feel that way but this does cast a shadow on them
If it was a Seattle officer they probably would have promoted him to captain.
But I thought they only hired the highest quality of people with ethics and morals? And didn't EVER take someone elses prescription meds...
 @swansong68 My work here is done.
Why is he wearing a suicide vest? He obviously wasn't being a good boy to be put in that, it's obvious in the pik he had a bad night.
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...going to Red-Roof College in the canyon fer a spell....
Well, congradulations, sport. The judge is going to give you a textbook-perfect trial and then send the clerk down to the law library for a bigger book to throw at you.
But he never borrowed his wife's prescription drugs!
He probably borrowed a friend's prescription drugs once when he was younger. That probably started it all. haha
He will just go deferred sentence...WSP will fire him...He will be off for 2-1/2 yrs...The Union will force the WSP to rehire him and he will get $200k in back pay. No loss of seniority. Atleast thats what happened in Okanogan County...But the Ok. County deputy also tried going back to his vehicle that he said there was no weapon...tried going back 3 times....Arresting trooper found his weapon one in the chamber and the holster unsnapped....Above the LAw you decide...
 @Getback2work He'll end up at Lynnwood PD. It's like the "alternative" school of the PDs.
"State patrol troopers got quite a shock Sunday when the reckless driver they were chasing turned out to be one of their own..." Â lol! Â i love it.... Â throw the book at him, judge!
Bummer. Â Expensive end to a fine career.
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 @rjsupersonic why do you call yourself a "dumb bass"... don't beat yourself up, buddyÂ
Wow, a picture is worth a thousand words.... still a bit defiant.... but.... reality is going to set in soon. Contrary to what some think... police are from all walks of life... bad apples for us all to deal with.
Oh say it isnât so. A WSP is human, fallen to the level of a âcitizenâ. This one is going to be hard to hide. Actually, were this a SPD officer we would not be reading about it. I have always disliked the pompous WSP, but could not help respect them as one of the finest LEAâs in this country. I am betting this guy gets hammered in a way he did not expect.
At least we know never popped any pills illegally. This is perfect coming a day after their "wearing this uniform blah blah blah" story yesterday. Love seeing self-righteousness, holier-than-thou types go down like this.Â
Does anyone expect this criminal to be treated like any other citizen woul be?
I never liked them and now even less.
 @F4I It's shallow to base your opinion of an entire agency or career based upon the actions of one or just a few.
"WSP officials say it's possible his law enforcement career is over" He had better be fired over this incident, and not able to retire and let us taxpayers pay for his pension!Â
Don't worry Bertholf. Two sets of rules. One for police. One for everyone else. You won't be held accountable.
Thats not true
@pdfdems911Â Â Unfortunately, it has been proven true too many times.
Full pension and rehab paid for by the state, not bad for a early retirement plan..
"The response from the troopers that went to the scene and made the apprehension show that if you're intoxicated in this state, we don't care who you are," Huss said. "We're going to do our job. It's expected of us and it's what we're committed to doing."
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Yea, and had he been stopped on hiway 16 in Ollala at 3:00 AM and no other car had been involved he probably would have been given a courtesy ride home.Â
 @ByeByeBarry That is not true....I have seen a few troopers arrested for DUI over the years.
 @realdeal599  @ByeByeBarry There should not have been even one trooper arrested. They should hold themselves to a higher standard. If they and our society do hold them to a higher standard, then more respect and less cynicism would follow.
 @ByeByeBarry Got that right...
@ByeByeBarry And it's amazin'Â that the troopers didn't shoot him. O right, he's one of their own!
@BuffaloBull So it's your contention that if he hadn't been a trooper, they would have shot him? I think you know perfectly well that is not true.
I didn't hear him profess to be better than anyone - he pledged to serve and protect - sounds like he's done that for 20 years. I say, let's not judge him based on one day in his life, one set of decisions. I hope that he gets the support he needs and then is allowed to contribute positively to our world once again. Best to you, Trooper Bertholf.
 @JustSayin' You mean like how he daily judges people based on one day of their lives? Which department do you work for? I'd like to see you removed from your position as well based on the fact the you appear to condone this sort of behavior.
@JustSayin'  Sorry but I had to laugh reading your post. I am still not sure if your post was sincere or meant to be sarcastic. I have seen many alcoholics in my life and there was a time in my life where alcohol was abused. To think that this guy got caught driving drunk the first time he did it is ludicrous ("let's not judge him based on one day in his life, one set of decisions"). You can bet that this was NOT his first time making this decision. With the "thin blue line" being what it is, it may not even be his first time being stopped for it. Hopefully this pattern is reversed before he kills someone driving that way.
 @JustSayin' Bertholf is human with all our failings as well. That's understandable. But don't forget, he is a police officer, which we (as a society) hold to a higher standard, and rightly so. Otherwise, any Tom, Dick and Harry can be a trooper. If he doesn't hold himself to that, we should. That being said, I am not saying he can't be rehabilitated, but some proper amount of punishment is called for.
So the family already has him going to a substance abuse rehab.So one day you get ''caught'' driving drunk,and you have to go to rehab?????.Sounds like he might have a history drinking but never got caught,until yesterday.Now it time to do something.