Corrections officer who assaulted co-worker resigns

EVERETT — A Snohomish County corrections sergeant who assaulted a co-worker last year agreed on Monday to resign.

Jerry Dixon Jr. was accused of pulling a co-worker’s hair at the jail in September. He pleaded guilty Monday in Everett District Court to fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor.

Dixon, 44, didn’t admit any wrongdoing, but conceded that a jury likely would find him guilty if the case went to trial. He was sentenced to 364 days in jail. A judge suspended all that time as long as Dixon doesn’t break the law over the next two years. He also is forbidden from having contact with the victim.

As part of his plea, Dixon agreed to leave his job, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Michael Boska said.

Sheriff’s officials placed Dixon on administrative leave after the allegations surfaced. However, a few weeks ago he was allowed to return to work after being demoted. The criminal case was unresolved at the time.

The criminal and internal investigations were done separately, Snohomish County sheriff’s bureau chief Kevin Prentiss said.

“Accommodations were made to ensure that they didn’t work around each other,” he added.

Court records show that the victim sought an anti-harassment order to keep Dixon away from her after she was told that he’d be returning to work.

Recently, Dixon was placed on administrative leave again after allegations surfaced that he’d violated the court order, Boska said.

As part of the plea negotiations, the deputy prosecutor agreed not to charge Dixon with a crime related to the violation.

The victim supported Monday’s resolution, Boska said.

Court papers indicate the incident that led to the charge took place as an officer was ending her graveyard shift at the jail. She walked into an elevator where she was met by Dixon. She said Dixon told her she would have to fix her hair differently when she changed shifts and began reporting to him.

That’s when he grabbed the top her head, holding onto her hair and jerking her head to the side, the woman reported.

While there were several witnesses to the discussion about her hair, no one actually saw the hair pulling, court papers said.

In a video of the incident the sergeant could be seen throwing punches toward but not making contact with the officer’s face.

“In the video, it is apparent that (the officer) is disoriented by the assault,” a sheriff’s office detective wrote. “She was supposed to get off the elevator at the first stop and she appears to not be sure where she is supposed to be.”

The woman later said that a considerable amount of her hair had been pulled out.

Operations at the jail have come under scrutiny in recent months after several deaths there. Two of the deaths have resulted in pending legal claims against the county alleging that inmates were denied basic medical care.

Sheriff’s officials recently announced that they’ve asked the federal government to review operations and medical services at the jail. The sheriff’s office took over operating the jail in 2008.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.