A Kittitas County sheriff’s deputy turned himself in on Sunday and was booked into the Yakima County Jail on felony charges involving a firearm after what began as a verbal dispute at a downtown Roslyn tavern and, in the words of officials, "escalated to criminal conduct." Authorities say no shots were fired and no one was reported injured. The Washington State Patrol has been asked to lead the criminal investigation, and the deputy has been placed on administrative leave while the case plays out.
What the sheriff said
Sheriff Clay Myers told local media that the deputy came forward on his own after talking with a supervisor, and said the office will act to "protect public trust" while the matter is resolved, according to FOX 13 Seattle. Myers did not provide a blow by blow account of what happened inside the bar, keeping detailed timelines and descriptions under wraps for now.
What we know so far
Local coverage identified the deputy as Nick Burson and reported that the confrontation started at the Brick Tavern in Roslyn before authorities say it escalated beyond harsh words. KIRO 7 reports that Burson was booked on "felony charges involving a firearm." Both the station and the sheriff's office say the Washington State Patrol has been called in to investigate. Officials reiterate that no shots were fired and that there were no reported injuries.
Booking and custody
After turning himself in, Burson was processed at the Yakima County Corrections Center at 111 N Front Street in Yakima, where he is being held pending next steps in the case. Yakima County Corrections lists visiting rules and contact details for the facility. Alongside the State Patrol’s criminal probe, the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office says it will conduct its own internal administrative review.
Legal path ahead
The Washington State Patrol's findings will dictate what evidence gets sent to prosecutors and whether formal charges are ultimately filed. Firearm related crimes in Washington are governed by RCW 9.41, where unlawful possession offenses can be treated as class B or class C felonies depending on the conduct involved and the defendant's prior record. RCW 9.41 spells out the legal definitions, charging options and potential penalties for firearm offenses across the state.
Why this matters locally
The Brick Saloon at 100 W Pennsylvania Avenue is a Roslyn institution, and word that an off duty county deputy was arrested after a run-in there has not gone unnoticed. Cases involving law enforcement tend to draw close scrutiny from residents and local officials, and both the criminal investigation and the internal review are likely to be watched across Kittitas County. For more on the business itself, its background and contact details are listed on The Brick Saloon.
