Back to work for deputy who accidentally shot wife

EPHRATA — Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones announced on Monday that a deputy who accidentally shot his wife in Moses Lake over the summer has been cleared to return to work.

Deputy Jose Rivera previously entered a guilty plea in Grant County Superior Court to one count of reckless endangerment in connection with the Aug. 9, 2017 accidental shooting of his wife, Sydney Rivera. Per a recommendation from the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, which was prosecuting the case at the request of the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office, and the defense, Rivera was sentenced to a total of 364 days in jail, with 356 days suspended and the remaining eight days converted to 48 hours of community service.

As a part of the plea agreement, Rivera was ordered to deliver 15 public presentations on gun safety. When he was initially charged Rivera was facing two counts of third-degree assault in addition to the reckless endangerment charge. The assault charges were dropped in the plea agreement.

“As the result of the findings of the investigation and the sentence, and after a great deal of reflection, thought and prayer, I have decided that Rivera will be resume his duties as a deputy for the Grant County Sheriff's Office,” Sheriff Tom Jones said. “As he was convicted of a gross misdemeanor, it does not preclude him from returning to duty. Deputy Rivera fully cooperated with investigators, was forthcoming with information, and completed all necessary tasks which he was directed to complete. The incident was a tragic accident and certainly one which Deputy Rivera has learned from.”

On the night of the shooting Rivera, who had been a cop for about five years at the time, was “dry-firing” a Springfield XD 9mm gun in his Moses Lake home. Rivera was testing out the laser on the weapon and pointed the gun, which was loaded, at Sydney and accidentally pulled the trigger.

The bullet went through Sydney’s right arm and lodged in her chest. Sydney underwent several surgeries, but she was able to survive her wounds. Both Jose and Sydney cooperated with investigators and stated several times there was no malicious intent behind the shooting and it was a tragic accident.

“Deputy Jose Rivera is a valued member of our department who made a mistake. His case was handled by an outside agency,” Jones said. “He faced charges related to the incident. He received a court imposed sentence, and is fulfilling the requirements of the sentence. To release him from his duties as a sheriff’s deputy, I feel, would needlessly remove a good cop from the community and create a tremendous hardship upon his family.”

Rivera was on paid administrative leave during court proceedings and an internal sheriff’s office investigation.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.