Divided opinions over fired cop

Marysville, Wash. — On the streets of Marysville whose citizens Derek Carlile swore to serve and protect, we found a mix of opinions. But most of those we talked to said he should not be a cop anywhere again.

Kathy Johnson, who has lived in this Snohomish County city for eight years, said Carlile shouldn't be allowed to have a gun. "I think they should take away his permit to own a gun," Johnson said. "He's shown that he's not responsible with a weapon." Leslie Mountfort, who moved to Marysville in 1989, agreed. "The same rule applies for us," he said. "Why should they be given a second chance when he's in law enforcement?"

Carlile was a Marysville police officer in March of 2012, when his 3-year-old son found the gun he had left in his vehicle's cup holder and shot and killed his 7-year-old daughter. Carlile was charged with manslaughter. He cried through much of the testimony before a jury announced it was hopelessly hung in November. Six months later, Carlile was fired. Two days after that, he filed a grievance seeking his job back.

Lorna Dowd, who lives near Stanwood in Warm Beach, said Carlile has suffered enough. "The damage it does to you, it's terrible," she said. "It's bad it happened. But I think he should come back. I don' think he's going to do it again." And Linda Gooch, who followed the case from her home in Lake Stevens, said he deserves a second chance. "Yeah, (to) be a cop here in Marysville. And do what his heart is to do. And that is to protect and serve."

Carlile reportedly turned down a job as a code enforcement officer. His grievance is set to go to arbitration in October 2013.

KIRO