Jailed, West Seattle-residing deputy fired by King County Sheriff

Followup on the story of Darrion Holiwell, the King County Sheriff’s Deputy jailed and charged with crimes including promoting prostitution and drug dealing: Sheriff John Urquhart has fired the 49-year-old West Seattle resident, according to this announcement we just received:

Jailed King County Sheriff’s deputy Darrion Holiwell was fired by Sheriff John Urquhart today.

Holiwell was arrested June 19, 2014 and subsequently charged with three felonies, including Promoting Prostitution, Theft, and drug dealing. He remains in the King County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.

“Darrion Holiwell violated his oath, the trust of his fellow deputies, and the trust of the citizens of King County”, said Sheriff Urquhart. “He does not deserve to be a police officer,” Urquhart added.

Holiwell has been on Administrative Leave since the investigation into his activities began in late April.

According to Sheriff Urquhart, the criminal investigation is continuing, both inside and outside the Sheriff’s Office. Additional charges are possible, both for Holiwell and others. A parallel administrative investigation is ongoing and involves several members of the Sheriff’s Office.

When he was arrested and jailed last month, Holiwell was described in court documents as having a Puget Ridge-area address, as well as being a SWAT team member and KCSO firearms instructor and proprietor of a private firearms-related business. Though he was said to own many “high-quality” firearms, investigators say the gun safe at his West Seattle home was empty when officers searched the house the day he was taken into custody at KCSO HQ downtown.

JanS July 15, 2014 (4:13 pm)

one would hope……thank you John Urquhart

West Seattle Hipster July 15, 2014 (5:04 pm)

I hope that he stays fired.

To protect and to serve…….

flimflam July 15, 2014 (5:05 pm)

wow, miracles DO happen!

alki Resident July 15, 2014 (5:13 pm)

Best news of the day. Yeah

Les July 15, 2014 (5:49 pm)

Is he still being paid pending the standard union appeal of any firing?

West Seattle since 1979 July 15, 2014 (5:57 pm)

Good riddance!

trickycoolj July 15, 2014 (7:17 pm)

Wonder what SPD is going to do with his friend who happens to be the resource officer for High Point.

CW July 15, 2014 (9:46 pm)

I read a troubling article recently linking SPD Officer Kevin McDaniel to Holiwell. Officer McDaniel is a part of the Community Police Team at the SW Precint. Apparently, he admitted under oath to purchasing testosterone pills from Holiwell. WSB . . . do you have any further information on what has happened with Officer McDaniel?

WSB July 15, 2014 (9:58 pm)

No one by that name has been charged with anything recently, according to Washington Court Search.

ScubaFrog July 15, 2014 (9:55 pm)

Urquhart’s a class act. I can’t remember the last time a rogue SPD officer (or a rogue Seattle firefighter for that matter) was fired.
–
It’s sad that the SPD and SFD don’t have higher standards of living/working for their employees.

Omar July 15, 2014 (10:56 pm)

ScubaFrog-If neither agency had high standards then explain KCPD firing the deputy or SFD firing an employee for statutory rape? Should they walk on water to keep their jobs?

ScubaFrog July 16, 2014 (11:05 am)

Omar yes they should ‘walk on water’ to keep their jobs. We should hold our public servants to at least the same standards as the average citizen. The KCSO (King County Sheriff’s Office) is a standup organization, with standup leadership. I don’t know what the “KCPD” is.
–
The SPD has been under investigation by the DOJ (for many reasons), and has gone through 3+ chiefs (Kerlikowske/Diaz/Bailey..) in under 5 years. 2 Seattle firefighters assaulted a homeless man – and have been charged with assault (but not fired). Rarely if ever do we see Seattle police officers fired. Same with Seattle firefighters.
–
The fact that you’re defending SPD and SFD improprieties is unfortunate, but indicative of public ignorance to some of the heinous deeds committed by those we pay to protect and serve us.

Sorry, comment time is over.