Two GCSO deputies on admin leave following death of inmate

EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete issued a statement Monday regarding the status of the investigation into the death of Grant County Jail inmate Richard Lambert while he was in custody Dec. 31, 2024.  

“Two corrections deputies were placed on paid administrative leave on Jan. 2, pending the results of the death investigation by the Central Basin Investigative Team, also known as CBIT, and the administrative policy investigation to be conducted by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office,” Kriete said.  

The corrections officers being placed on administrative leave is not a punishment but rather is standard procedure while an investigation is ongoing, he said. Being placed on administrative leave is not an indicator of wrongdoing.  

A former inmate who had been at the jail when Lambert was found deceased in his bunk said he was concerned that multiple officers and one of the medical staff at the facility had not paid more attention to Lambert’s condition.  

According to the inmate, who asked not to be identified because he was concerned about being targeted for stepping forward, Lambert had been unwell and hadn’t eaten in at least two days and had complained of stomach pain.  

“Lambert looked really beat up. He had a black eye and just looked in bad shape overall,” the inmate said.  

Lambert had been booked into the Grant County Jail on Dec. 27 of last year on suspicion of second-degree criminal trespassing and obstructing law enforcement in connection with a Moses Lake Police Department investigation, according to a GCSO statement.  

Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison’s office took custody of Lambert’s remains and an autopsy was planned.  

GCSO is unable to respond to some specific incidents while the investigation is ongoing in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation.