King County

On March 18 of last year, a 34 year old individual later identified as Richard Harrison, arrived in front of the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle and assaulted an individual on the front steps of the facility. As he entered the facility, Harrison was ordered by Corrections Officer Heather Van Vleck to leave. He then ran past Officer Van Vleck and started running up the stairs to the Reception area where numerous women, children and other people were conducting business. At the first landing, Harrison was confronted by Corrections Officer Darren DeGraw who was returning to his assigned post at Check In. Harrison struck Officer DeGraw several times in the face and chest with his fists. At the same time, Officer Van Vleck sprayed him with pepper spray, which appeared to have little effect. Officer DeGraw attempted to protect himself and struck Harrison causing him to stumble back into the wall. Harrison then ran back down to the officer's station where he tried to open the drawer where he hoped to locate a weapon. Officer Van Vleck ran after him, continually ordering him to stop. She grabbed him from behind in an attempt to pull him away from the officer's station. As she did so, Harrison spun her around and struck her several times in the face while attempting to grab her service weapon. He used enough force to physically lift her off the ground and caused her belt keepers to come unsnapped. As additional back-up staff arrived, Harrison was finally subdued and taken into custody. Officer's Van Vleck and DeGraw were taken to Harbor View Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries and released. The viciousness of the attack was only minimized by the professionalism and efforts of Officer's Van Vleck, DeGraw, and others who responded to the scene before Harrison could obtain a lethal weapon.

It was later learned Harrison had been released from DOC less than 12 hours before he attacked officers at the jail while high on illegal drugs. As a result of this vicious assault, Officer Van Vleck sustained injuries to her face and upper body for which she is still receiving medical care.

Harrison was charged with 2 counts of Custodial Assault to which he pled guilty. At his sentencing in October, more than 75 officers, supervision, and administration officials, to include Director Wallenstein appeared to lend support to their collegues. Judge Faith Ireland sentenced Harrison to 2 consecutive terms of 57 months each. Prosecutors had asked for the high end of the sentencing range given Harrison's violent criminal history, rapid recidivism, use of illegal drugs, and his risk of re-offense. They got it.