The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – An outside investigation of an Aug. 9 incident which resulted in Columbia County Reserve Deputy Kenneth Foxe firing a round from his weapon determined that the shot was a justified use of force.

On the afternoon of Wed., Aug. 9, Columbia County Dispatched received a call for a welfare check at the Dayton High School baseball field. Reserve Deputy Foxe responded to the call and was confronted by Alonzo Snider, who is a Dayton resident.

According to court documents and a sheriff’s office press release, Snider failed to respond to Foxe’s commands and held the car door to prevent Foxe from exiting his vehicle, several times. Once Foxe exited the vehicle and informed Snider that he was under arrest, Snider struck Foxe several times, causing him to fall to the ground and momentarily lose consciousness.

Foxe made three ineffectual attempts to use a tazer on Snider. He then drew his service weapon as he continued ordering Snider to the ground. Snider continued to ignore verbal commands and advanced on Foxe who fired on warning shot. After the shot, Snider complied, went to the ground, and was arrested without further incident.

Foxe received multiple lacerations from the scuffle, and both parties received minor injuries. Foxe was treated at Dayton General Hospital and Snider received care at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. Snider was booked into Columbia County Jail on charges of third degree assault, obstruction, and resisting arrest.

Reserve Deputy Snider was placed on paid administrative leave for approximately 10 days before returning to his duties. An outside investigation by Sheriff Rocky Miller andColumbia County Prosecutor Rea Culwell confirmed that Foxe was justified in his use of force.