Detective allegedly assaults his wife
Published 9:00 pm Monday, June 21, 2004
WHIDBEY ISLAND – An Island County sheriff’s detective is on paid administrative leave after he was arrested on suspicion of beating his wife.
The sheriff’s office asked Oak Harbor detectives to investigate a report of domestic violence at Mike Birchfield’s north Whidbey Island home about noon Saturday, said Oak Harbor Capt. Rick Wallace.
Birchfield’s wife told detectives he’d “pushed her down and struck her several times,” Wallace said. “She suffered numerous bruises and scrapes on her arms and hands, and a bruise on the back of her head.”
The alleged assault occurred after the two had an argument, Wallace said. He did not know what they were arguing about. Birchfield’s wife was examined at Whidbey General Hospital and released.
Birchfield, 45, was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree assault and interfering with reporting domestic violence. Both are misdemeanors.
Birchfield was booked into the Oak Harbor City Jail. He was later released on his on personal recognizance. The court ordered that he not have any contact with his wife.
Wallace declined to release the police report, saying it was not yet public record.
The alleged assault occurred within the Island County sheriff’s jurisdiction, but Oak Harbor detectives were called in to avoid any conflict of interest, said sheriff’s office spokeswoman Jan Smith.
The sheriff’s office will do an internal investigation to determine if Birchfield violated any personnel policies, such as engaging in conduct unbecoming an officer or putting someone in danger, Smith said.
“Any alleged violation of policy is serious,” she said. “In the eyes of the public our deputies are held to a high standard. They wear a badge. It’s a badge of trust.”
Sheriff Mike Hawley has suspended Birchfield’s police powers and assigned him administrative duties until the investigation is finished.
Birchfield was a police officer in Langley before coming to the sheriff’s office in 1993.
No other domestic violence incidents have been reported between Birchfield and his wife, Hawley said. In 1999, the detective was the victim of a domestic violence incident involving a girlfriend, Hawley said.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
