Officer Fired After Investigation Involving Firearm Transfers

In a story that has stirred significant debate, a police officer in Steilacoom, Washington, was fired earlier this year after assisting a dying man and his estranged wife with the man’s condemned home and firearm collection. Sgt. Larry Whelan, a 33-year veteran of the force, claims he is being unfairly targeted for simply offering help. A detailed report from the Tacoma News Tribune suggests Whelan has a compelling defense.

The incident began last August when Sgt. Whelan responded to a welfare check at a deteriorating home on 1st Street. He found a pool of blood outside and a cracked door leading to Bill Johnston, a 72-year-old cancer patient, lying in squalor near the door. Johnston was able to communicate with Whelan despite his severe condition, which included an apparent stomach tumor.

While Johnston was hospitalized, his home was condemned by the town and marked as unsafe for return. He passed away within a month after a brief stay in Tacoma with his estranged wife. This raised immediate concerns about the care of his Belgian Malinois dog, Tali, and the fate of his house and firearms collection.

Whelan stepped in to help. He took Tali home, referred Johnston and his wife to a real estate brokerage, and assisted in moving at least 16 firearms to a safe location in a neighbor’s house. Johnston, a Navy veteran and competitive shooter, had a notable collection of firearms. Whelan and a neighbor used a wheelbarrow to transport the guns over two trips, with Whelan off duty during the second visit.

However, this act of kindness soon turned into a nightmare for Whelan. Less than two weeks after the initial welfare check, an anonymous complaint alleged that Whelan committed a crime by taking the guns and purportedly planning to sell them for profit. The Tacoma Police Department's investigation found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. The firearms were not stolen or illegally sold, and the house sale was managed by a brokerage, not Whelan. Johnston’s wife confirmed that it was their decision to sell the property and that Whelan had declined to handle the sale due to potential conflicts of interest.

Despite these findings, an internal investigation by the town accused Whelan of violating multiple department policies. They claimed he failed to file an incident report, defied a written order not to discuss the review with others, and was untruthful in his accounts. Whelan was also criticized for transferring the firearms to a neighbor without a background check, although he knew the neighbor was legally eligible to possess firearms.

Public Safety Chief Tom Yabe’s memo to Whelan cited these violations as grounds for termination, including the accusation that Whelan had extended his help beyond what was necessary. However, the Tacoma PD’s report acknowledged Whelan’s actions as those of a community caretaker, aiming to secure the property and well-being of a community member.

Tia Johnston, who was overwhelmed by her husband's condition and the subsequent responsibilities, defended Whelan, calling his firing “stupid.” She emphasized that Whelan’s help was crucial and that her late husband was grateful for the officer’s efforts to secure his firearms.

Given Whelan’s extensive service record, it seems excessive to terminate him for what appears to be minor administrative oversights. After more than 30 years on the force, a stern warning or brief suspension might have been more appropriate.

Whelan is contesting his termination, and his case is set for arbitration this fall. Many, including Tia Johnston, hope he succeeds. As she aptly put it, “police officers like Larry are few and far between, and we actually need more of them like him.” From afar, it’s hard to disagree with her sentiment.