Updated at 1:49 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
An expected lawsuit regarding the fatal shooting by a Lewis County sheriff’s deputy of an unarmed Napavine man has been filed in federal court.
Steven V. Petersen
The sheriff’s office in a news release “vehemently denies” Deputy Matt McKnight acted recklessly or negligently in any way when he shot 33-year-old Steven V. Petersen last year.
The action filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma alleges McKnight engaged in a ‘shoot first and ask questions later’ approach to law enforcement, according to the news release.
Sheriff Steve Mansfield says McKnight did everything he was supposed to do.
An attorney for Petersen’s family has said their investigation would focus on the sheriff’s office training, supervision and decision-making in the field when using deadly force.
It happened on June 20 in Napavine, when police and deputies responded to an approximately 2 a.m. call that Petersen left stab holes in the door of his ex-girlfriend’s mobile home while trying to get inside and then left on foot.
Deputy McKnight found Petersen a few blocks away, and after Petersen refused to take his hand out of his pocket and began to charge McKnight, the deputy fired four shots, according to the account given by local authorities. The dead man had no knife.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer concluded McKnight’s use of deadly force was justified, based on an investigation conducted by outside law enforcement officers. McKnight was also cleared by an internal review at the sheriff’s office.
The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, but the claim that preceded it asked for as much as $10 million.
More to come.
•••
For background, read:
• “Multi-million dollar lawsuit coming in deputy-involved shooting in Napavine” from Wednesday June 6, 2012, here
• “Details emerge in Napavine officer-involved shooting” from Saturday July 2, 2011, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
“If a member of law enforcement tells you to stop, then STOP!”
Not stopping does not give a police officer the right to murder a human being. Police officers are given ample means of using non-lethal force. In the face of an unarmed citizen, when a police officer uses deadly force, it is a clear sign of a lack of training and and over-riding psychological fear on the part of the officer.
The officer is lucky it wasn’t a child he murdered.
Can’t everyone just be thankful that Petersen did not harm his girlfriend or Deputy McKnight? LCSO is here to protect us so let them do their job and complain when it directly affects you. Learn a lesson from this and pass it on. If a member of law enforcement tells you to stop, then STOP!
Let me Guess Neighborhood your Sipping on the Fluoride? I never broke the so called law, don’t you get that………? HUH!
Neighborhood, First of all a Jury Decides the court case, and yes I do have a right to call another agency when a Police Officer is breaking the Law. Police Officers can be resisted when they are violating the Law… Here’s that case Law…..http://constitution.org/uslaw/defunlaw.htm What were you saying again about the Law?
Wake up Dirty Law Enforcer it is no doubt you do not know your rights and the law if you are stopped what makes you think you can call another law enforcement agency like the State Patrol, They do not have any authority over a city police officer or any other. Department You were no doubt a idiot from the start to get yourself in this predicament. I do not feel sorry for you at all cry baby. Looks like you are looking for a law suite just like the other morons. 911 Operators did not violate your rights from what I see on here. You were a idiot thinking the State Patrol was going to get you out of this problem. That is what we have courts for. If you think your Civil Rights were violated, take the issue to court and let the Judge decide. Do not break the Law and you will not stooped. Also it would be great if all the Officers and surrounding agency’s could wear cameras – I am sure that they would be glad to. Maybe you should quit bitching about everything and put forth your efforts in finding a solution, like starting a fund raiser started to pay for each of them all to wear a camera.
OKAY ALL IN THIS CONVERSATION. Sad to say but there is corruption in our law enforcement. However there is good in our law enforcement as well. There are different outcomes for different situations. Not anyone of us can know how it feels to me in any situation that our law enforcement is involved in, unless you have been there yourself. As a community, we need to have faith in our law enforcement and hope that they are handling situtations by law.
DCE – What the fuck does your drivel have to do with the original story here? Now I can see why Sharyn has to remind you to stay on topic. You tell the same boring bullshit over and over, and it wears thin quite quickly.
I’m one of the last people you will ever see defending law enforcement as a whole because I personally believe that most cops are weak individuals with mental problems who get off on the power that is afforded them by virtue of their profession. I think that, as time goes by, there are more and more corrupt cops out there and I don’t trust any of them. HOWEVER . . .
As for Steven Peterson and his greedy family go, I HOPE THEY DON’T GET ONE RED CENT in their ridiculous lawsuit. This guy was an obvious loser with a criminal/domestic violence history. His son had just lost his mother and instead of being home fathering his child, who needed him more than ever, he was selfishly and mindlessly out chasing after some “ho” he used to be involved with while in possession of a deadly weapon. A deadly weapon that he had already used in a threatening manner. He deserved to get his stupid ass shot for this AND for disobeying the direct order of a police officer who had every reason to consider him armed and dangerous. I feel sorry for his kid, but not to the point where I believe this shitheap’s family should get rich because his own actions got him killed. The fact that some lowlife attorney (I can’t stand lawyers either) took the case means nothing more than that there are too many shysters out there.
If we could dig a big hole and bury all the crooked police, all the scumbag lawyers/judges and all the wannabe gang bangers and tweakers in this county together at the same time, it might actually be a place I would be proud to live in.
MsRattlehead says:
“You Asked” should not the coppers showed up in a pair anyhow????
“I answered” “They” only show up in pairs in Centralia, this was the LCSO.
MsRattlehead says:
to DirtyCopEnforcer —- got tissues for your issues…..you can’t move forward if you are always lookin in the rear view mirror….
Ever heard of a constant battle against evil? A Never Give Up Attitude? American Justice is just not a TV show some watch, some auctualy have to fight for it… But thanks for your insight, the term you coin almost sounds like a meth users. One could relate!
to DirtyCopEnforcer —- got tissues for your issues…..you can’t move forward if you are always lookin in the rear view mirror….
it must be hard to be a cop around here with all the disrespect for thier authority . . . shameful.
does not dismiss the fact that the dude had problems with seizures. . . so his brain probably was not running on all cylinders to begin with . . . none- the- less . . . back up would have been an ideal call . . . in such a situation — should not the coppers showed up in a pair anyhow????
GuiltyBystander The legal difference is that there is none. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for a Law Enforcement Official. The Centralia Police had no right to shut off my recording device, detain me or search my car. They are the criminals in this matter. Shutting off a recording device is the same thing as interfering with a 911 call. It takes a warrant to operate a persons video camera, phone ETC…. I was not charged with any crime, instead the crimes were against me. My car was searched, my video equipment was damaged and shut off during the police interaction with me. The recordings are clear and convincing evidence when a person reads the police statement, that a Civil Rights violation did occur. Being choked while in handcuffs is a crime,False Swearing is a crime. Remember this, these officers are still strapping on their guns and pinning on their badges today in the name of so called justice. The Centralia Police are Bullshit and the 911 call center facilitated the crimes against me by not sending me police aid when I pay for it. The Tax Payer makes the Executive decision to send police aid, not two 911 call operators. Their job is to patch me through to the State Patrol when requested. I have a damming 911 recording, the recording has not been made available to the public yet. But on the recording the 911 operators talk amongst themselves and ask each other if they should send a State Patrol Officer. One operator asks the other should I and the other operator says I don’t think so.
DCE, I have to admit to my own naivete’ on this, but what charges did the Centralia PD file against you for recording your traffic stop? I know this is Centralia, but isn’t it routine for Seattle PD cops to record their traffic stops? What’s the legal difference?
“Hey George” I want to answer your question and give you a alternative to review about what I do post online to be the truth. During the my traffic stop I was not ticketed nor was I under the influence of any substance. But I was Told I was under arrest for recording my traffic stop. I was threatened with firearms and tasers for not allowing the officer to shoot me in the face with his Taser for refusing to step out of my car. The Law is very clear about wrongful arrests and a citizen’s right to stand their ground. My Rights are sealed by my First Amendment Right the Constitution provides, Simon Vs Glik allows Citizen’s the reassurance to record Police Interactions while in public or while operating your private property. Such As My Car. Everyone seems to have this misunderstanding about my situation and my goals to bring the police officers involved to justice. If I can be choked while in handcuffs and have my property altered, shut off, searched and destroyed, the same thing could happen to you or a Family Member. The facts are, I caught the Centralia Police Department False Swearing and clearly violating my rights by shutting of my recorder and trying to destroy my cameras SD card.
George I can Back up what I say, Youtube March 3rd 2011 Traffic Stop and public disclose Centralia PD Case #11A4108….You will see and hear that the recordings do not match up the police reports..
Lets put it this way I Email Chief Berg of the Centralia PD and he fails to answer the questions I have for him.. The reason is they would have to admit guilt and fulfil the insurance claims I have made against them. A lawyer is on my side and we have a 3 year window to file suit. Washington Cities Insurance has failed to even investigate the matter making my claim 3 Times the Penalty. Like I said George I can back up what I’m saying…Not many people can………………..Are we Clear George?
Falsetto, I agree with your comments about the various alternatives available to officers, but I also know that unless each of us were to experience exactly what was happening at the very moment, we would not know how we ourselves would react.
DCE says “police officers need to be outfitted with recording devices”. I agree. And by doing so, it works to benefit everyone … they don’t only serve to protect citizen’s rights, they also serve to protect officers’ by documenting menacing acts by antagonists and agitators, as well as displaying the requirements of split second reactions to perceived threats.
Police officers have several ways of dealing with potentially deadly situations without using force. Using a gun to kill has been and should still be the option of last resort.
Police officers are usually trained in a form of martial arts, wether it’s boxing, tae kwon do, ju jitsu, or krav magra. In addition, they are given training in how to use a baton or a tompha. In addition to that they have pepper spray which is powerful enough to stop a grizzly bear. They also have a non-lethal taser that they can use, which can also knock out a very large man. Finally, they have at least a high school education (hopefully) and have learned that there are consequences for violent actions.
I see absolutely no reason for an officer of the law to use deadly force with a gun on a suspect when the suspect was not posing any kind of dire threat. Furthermore, I find it amazing that this officer would shoot someone simply on third party heresay testimony about him “stabbing holes in a door” or some such nonsense.
But, whatever. We’ll see what the Federal Court decides. I hope the beautiful Sharon will continue providing updates and a forum in which people like me can spout our “nonsense” and “hatred for Lewis County”.
God bless America.
OMG Already. Please explain to the Board readers about what I Imply about Lewis County Police Officers. And please explain about me being bullied in high school. What do you mean by this?
What I see is a public that lacks common information about police misconduct and statistics. Then in hindsight people try to attack me for spreading the facts around. Omg already was I really bullied in high school? Or does name calling make you a bigger person? I’m sure all of your high school buddies laughed when you picked on the nerd right.
Free Air in my third posting , I said the same thing you just said in a “Nut Shell” on your recent post. And you want to attack me for the same opinion we both share. Then tell me I am far off from the facts. Are you really reading what you write? My hate for Authority is not a problem, there is none. But my hate for police corruption and misconduct is a real problem. The news is real and police misconduct is out of control, my web-site makes this very clear. It’s Ok if everyone wants to attack me. I’m not trying to win a popularity contest, nor am I trying to make friends. But the Brightest Star always stands out and I am simply spreading a message, the message I spread is a warning to my fellow Country Men. Once again the Tax Payers lose in this situation. The reason is all police officers need to be outfitted with recording devices to protect the Rights of the Tax Payers and all parties involved with police contacts. My Idea is not a Fairy Tale, it’s the Future of Law Enforcement. This is already Happening, it’s just a matter of time before you see it. Mark My Words……..DCE
“My opinion of Matthew Mcknight and this matter is.
One, McKnight fed off the emotion of the victim, Two, Witnessed the Knife holes or damage Three, then failed to call for back up when attempting to arrest Petersen…”
DCE,
I owe you a dept of gratitude for this posting. I know many of the people involved in this call and the facts surrounding it. Thanks to your posting I now see your so far off from the facts due to your hate of anyone in authority as to rend your ignorant postings completely without merit or worthy of read. From here on out when I see a DCE posting, I can just skip it and move on. Thank you for saving me future frustration, wasting time and even the occasional pondering “what if” you might have a point of some sort in your ramblings. I wish you well and hope for the best. Try just every so often to consider that those who have sworn an oath, be they fire, police, soldier, teacher or politician just might have honest service in their hearts. Post what you will, I’ll not waste time responding.
To the rest of the readers, try and not feed the trolls too often. It only encourages them.
What was not talked about in the article is that the standard distance for officers and suspects to be ” safe” is 21 feet. A suspect can cover 21 feet in less than 2 seconds and most people cannot react fast enough to pull a weapon out to defend themselves in that time.
When a person who has been reported to be armed is advancing on an officer with one hand hidden it is not a good move. In the chronicle article the attorney for the family said backup could have been there in 30 seconds.
With an advancing suspect 30 seconds is a lifetime. Officers have to make split second decisions based on their training and the situation as it is unfolding in front of them. Looking back at the case with hindsight is not the same as being the at the time.
A suspect reported to have a knife is a dangerous situation that is handled with deadly force. Tazing or using a nightstick puts the officers at risk.
I too defend DCE’s right to say what he wants on here even if I don’ t always agree with him. That is what is difficult to be an American. We have to defend someone’s right to advocate the overthrow of thievery thing we have spent a litime defending.
I have known any officers in my time and there are some, luckily small,that may not be as ethical as they should’ve. The majority of them are good people doing a difficult job. What I take exception to is DCE’s lumping every officer in with those he considers to be bad. But again DCE’S I defend your right to say it.
sounds like dce has old high school flashbacks of being bullied and thinks that slamming our wonderful lcso is the therapy he so badly needs. i know a few of the lcso deputies and they are nothing like what dce implies!
How come you all respond to DCE & Falsetto? They have issues that are apparently un-resolved,rightly or wrongly & may never be. No-one is going to change their mind, and they are not going to change yours. I am tired of reading about the on-going debate & unless all of you can come up with a solution to the problems, then quit complaining. It’s gone on long enough, lets move forward.
The question is:
Is Lewis County hiring police officers trained to diffuse potentially life-threatening situations or are they hiring paid assasins who shoot first and ask questions later?
The answer to that will ultimately be up to the Federal Courts decide.
“The cop told the man to stop. What do you do when a cop tells you to stop? You stop. You do NOT continue advancing on the cop in a threatening manner.”
And cops never lie right? Where are the witnesses that say the dead man was in any way “threatening” an officer?
Obviously the only other witness who knows the truth is dead. The police officer could EASILY have tasered the man or used his baton. After all, the victim was UNARMED.
So, DCE, you were pulled over for not having headlights on. That’s normally just a simple ticket, unless there is other issues as well. Did you give your documentation to the police when they asked, or did you play that “you don’t need to see my identification” bit? Or, did you instantly call 911 to get a state patrol trooper there, completely ignoring the officer who pulled you over? Or, was there something else amiss that you aren’t telling us?
As for the case of the cop shooting the man (the case in this article), if the family wins anything, then THAT will be proof that the legal system in this county is broken. The cop told the man to stop. What do you do when a cop tells you to stop? You stop. You do NOT continue advancing on the cop in a threatening manner. Especially if you’re suspected of having just tried to drive a knife (or some other dangerously sharp object) through a door at your ex-girlfriend’s house…
Dirty Cop Enforcer: Why would the Lewis County Police Department (I am sure you meant Sheriff’s Office) be at fault for a Centralia traffic stop? Is it the officers’ fault if the dispatcher didn’t send a Stater? How is that the same thing as an officer involved shooting in which someone charges a cop and is told to stop, doesn’t and is shot and killed? Most people understand that police will use deadly force if they feel threated, so again I am confused as to how a traffic stop is the same as someone shot dead? Did they drop the charges against you? Were you intoxicated or threatening to the officer? I am not defending the officer, as some are good and some are not but I am just confused.
I deceided to look up the definition Vehemently and this is what I found. 1. Characterized by forcefulness of expression or intensity of emotion or conviction; fervid: a vehement denial. See Synonyms at intense.
2. Marked by or full of vigor or energy; strong: a vehement storm.
My opinion of Matthew Mcknight and this matter is.
One, McKnight fed off the emotion of the victim, Two, Witnessed the Knife holes or damage Three, then failed to call for back up when attempting to arrest Petersen. Four, Made the assumption that Petersen was still armed.
Tunnel Vision sets in and the adrenilen starts pumping and this is what’s called Contempt of Cop. Mcknight was the only one there and any gun pointed at someone already is faster than any quick draw.
McKnight has a legal defense team that anyone being defended at the Lewis County Court would only dream of. Also McKnight is trained to not talk and stick to his story. So the only two people that know what really happened is the New victim Mr Mcknight made, Mr McKnight and God.
Let this be a Lesson to Lewis County if they are sued for the ten million dollars. The time has come that all Police Officers in Uniform must wear a Body Camera. Many States are doing this already to protect the Tax Payers Interests…..
But what do I know I’m just the DCE……..
Oh PS I have video of Matthew McKnight I will look for it and post it soon, after I get off work of course George!
Wake up stupid, if this idiot was told to stop by a police officer he should have stopped as he was told to do. I think this officer had every right to shoot him – he asked for it . It was just reported this person had a knife what would you expect the officer to do take a knife for the criminals. This County has too much crime and when a criminal is shot Hurray to the Lewis County Sheriffs Office. Do like most of the good citizens of Lewis County and do not break the law. It seems most of the people who complain about the problems they have with the Police are the criminals If you did nothing wrong you would not be seen by the police they would not know you were there.Wake up criminals and get a job and be a member of the community.
word has it that the man was upset over his “friend” not giving him his much needed seizure medication….
George The Troll I was pulled over for allegedly driving without head lights on, The facts are clear in my matter I was told I was under arrest for recording my personal traffic stop. If you need more Information about me public disclose it. It was on March 3rd 2011. Reading alot of the things you say about me is Humorus and totaly wrong. But you and everyone else are allowed an opinion of me. But I can tell you this I am not on welfare I’m not unemployed and I am a Home Owner in Lewis County and a Business Owner. Would you like to know what my shoe size is. Lets Talk about George, whats your deal?
Falsetto, if you don’t live in Lewis County, why are you even on this site? I don’t get it. You showed up here a couple weeks ago attacking those who comment and Lewis County and “you Americans” right out of the gate. You seem to be a very angry person. I wish you peace.
Hey George, the rumor mill and the puppy mill mentality is obviously alive and well in Lewis County.
Instead of constantly attacking DCE why don’t you explain to me why you feel the need to belittle anybody and everybody who doesn’t share your point of view?
I understand that you and your little bully cohorts are 100% convinced DCE is some kind of “nutjob” or whatever, but what makes you think it’s okay to constantly jab at him with ridiculous questions based solely on assumption?
As to why he, or anybody else for that matter, hasn’t filed a suit against the county is because it takes TIME and MONEY to build a case. REAL justice is delivered through deliberate and painstaking investigations and vetting of witnesses. It’s not like the kangaroo court in Lewis County where you’re convicted on ZERO physical evidence AND where any tweaker or junky can testify against you?
Either way, go hustle up your online buddies and attack me. I don’t care.
DCE, if your civil rights were so egregiously violated, then how come YOU haven’t filed a lawsuit against the local police?
And while you’re at it, why don’t you explain why you were pulled over in the first place?
Sharyn I think that this was news awhile back, but I will comment anyways. The Lewis County Police Department has been getting away with Civil Rights violations for a long time now. It’s good to see that the heat is on the Lewis County Sheriff. I too had my rights violated by the 911 center of Lewis County. On March 3rd 2011 I called 911 and asked them to send a State Patrol to the traffic stop I was at. The 911 call center employees are heard on the 911 tape asking if they should send me police aid. One operator said should I and the other operator said I don’t think so. My recording proves that the Centralia Police did indeed violate my rights by telling me I was under arrest for recording my own traffic stop. I pay over 2000 dollars a year for Taxes and some of that money goes to 911. I asked the Lewis County 911 Dispatch over 11 times to send another police agency. Lewis County has a problem with their police officers and I’m hoping this Suit will open up the Facts about how I was treated by local law enforcement. You can bet that I will be contacting this persons Lawyer and will be telling them about what Lewis County Officials did to me.