Sheriff Releases Name Of Detective Who Pulled Gun On Shoreline Motorcyclist

SHORELINE, WA - The King County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday released the name of the Woodinville detective who pulled a motorcyclist over in Shoreline Aug. 16 at gunpoint. Det. Richard Rowe, 53, has been a member of the department for 19 years.

According to a video of the incident, Rowe approached the motorcyclist from behind, gun drawn, and began giving him orders. Sheriff John Urquhart said Tuesday that the detective has been "relieved of duty" pending an investigation of the traffic stop.

The motorcyclist, Alex Randall, 31, was driving along Northeast 145th Street in Shoreline on Aug. 16 when he stopped at a light near 5th Avenue Northeast. Randall has said that an unmarked car pulled up behind him with its lights on, and that's when Rowe approached him with a gun drawn.

"How you doin'?" Rowe says as he approaches Randall, a handgun in his right hand held against his chest.

"What are you doing to me?" Randall shouts, appearing startled.

Rowe then demands Randall take out his identification. Rowe eventually reaches his hand into Randall's pocket - with the gun still in his other hand - and takes out his wallet. The detective accuses Randall of driving "100 MPH." Randall has said that he was going 50 MPH, tops.

Rowe eventually put his gun away and shows his King County Sheriff's ID. He then lectures Randall on why reckless driving is dangerous.

King County Sheriff John Urquhart has personally apologized to Randall, and the detective was placed on leave for misconduct. Urquhart told KING 5 that the detective has never been in trouble before in his career, but that pulling a gun during a misdemeanor traffic stop is "against our policy... It's against federal law."

You can watch the full interaction here:

Image via YouTube