- Oklahoma, USA -
The Broken Arrow Police Department provided an update on the internal administrative investigation into the on-duty misconduct of former officer WILLIAM ROY GOLDEN (pictured), charged with animal cruelty.
Broken Arrow Police Chief Brandon Berryhill said in a statement that at the culmination of the investigation, GOLDEN resigned from the Department and his resignation has been accepted.
It all started in August 2023, when GOLDEN abused a neighbor’s dog. Another neighbor, whom News On 6 identified as Deanna Westbrook, thankfully recorded the incident and the video surfaced on social media the following month.
News On 6 reports that Ms. Westbrook had to take the video down after receiving a “cease-and-desist letter” from GOLDEN’s attorney. “I think it's just supposed to scare me to be quiet,” Ms. Westbrook told News On 6.
According to Ms. Westbrook, it began with a neighbor's dog getting out of a fence and jumping in GOLDEN’s patrol car. An affidavit describes the furvictim as a 4-year-old English Bulldog named Rusty and being “non-aggressive.”
GOLDEN is accused of tasing Rusty eight times, pepper-spraying him, and striking him on the head.
GOLDEN’s affidavit stated that GOLDEN admitted to pulling a loaded weapon, threatening to shoot Rusty, and pointing the gun at nearby homes. The affidavit also stated that GOLDEN did not know why he pulled a gun and that at the time, he was angry and frustrated.
Rusty was taken to a veterinarian for treatment, and witnesses say he was not showing any signs of aggression towards GOLDEN.
After Wagoner County District Attorney Jack Thorp watched the video, he made the decision to file two charges against GOLDEN: one felony count of animal cruelty and one misdemeanor count of reckless handling of a firearm.
News On 6 reports that DA Thorp said: “I’m aware Mr. Golden is a police officer, but no person is above the law. It’s the state position we're gonna go through in this case and we're going to ensure that justice is done here in Wagoner County.”
GOLDEN was arrested in September 2023, and released on bond. He is due in court for a preliminary hearing on May 1, 2024.
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This is heartbreaking! How can someone who receives his salary to ‘protect & serve’ give the feeble excuse for his cruelty to a friendly bull dog Rusty, as feeling angry & frustrated! His cruel actions were recorded in the day, in a neighborhood where he resides! WILLIAM ROY GOLDEN must never be allowed to wear a badge EVER AGAIN. This dude seriously sucks!! I pray Rusty is safe & secure now!