Thurston County deputies attacked during arrest, one nearly loses an eye

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — Two Thurston County Sheriff’s deputies are recovering after they were attacked during an arrest.

Sheriff Derek Sanders says it happened when the two tried to arrest someone accused of making death threats to a woman.

“If they’re willing to hurt police officers, they’re willing to hurt anybody,” he said.

The sheriff says the person became combative, punching one deputy in the face, causing their ear to bleed. The person then, according to the sheriff, tried and nearly gouged the eye out of the second deputy.

The person was ultimately arrested, but continued to fight, so the sheriff says his deputies used a WRAP restraint device – to help subdue the aggressive behavior.

Both deputies were taken to the hospital, treated, and are in ‘good spirit,’ Sheriff Sanders says.

“We’re not robots with skin over the top. These are people who are going to go home to families who are super concerned about them,” Sanders said. “You don’t sign up to get assaulted. You sign up knowing you could be assaulted, that’s a big difference.”

The suspect was also taken to the hospital and will face multiple felony charges, including felony harassment and felony assault.

The suspect, who appeared in court Wednesday, was later identified as Garett Merlino.

The judge approved the media to cover the story inside the court room after the state and defense attorney did not object.

The alleged victim appeared in court and spoke to the judge.

“I am worried about my safety and I don’t know the correct thing to do in this situation. I would ask your honor to impose some sort of condition that Mr. Merlino is taking his medication and that he is not a harm,” the alleged victim said.

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