Disorderly Tenant Arrested after Trying to Hit Deputy when Contacted
Spokane Valley Deputies contacted a disorderly tenant of a residential care home who reportedly threatened to kill staff while breaking and throwing items around. Deputies located the suspect walking a short distance away and told him he was not free to leave while they investigated the reported complaint/crime. However, the suspect turned to walk away, and when one of the Deputies grabbed the suspect’s arm, he swung, attempting to hit the Deputy in the face/head. Deputies took him to the ground and placed him in handcuffs without further incident. Following the investigation, he was booked into jail for felony and misdemeanor charges.
On July 22, 2024, at approximately 11:20 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a disorderly person call. Residential care staff (11900 block E. Cataldo) reported that a resident was throwing things around, causing a disruption, and threatening to kill staff. Staff said the suspect, 28-year-old Joshua A. Graham, described as a white male, 5’10”, approximately 250-300 lbs, also threatened to kill law enforcement if they arrived before leaving the home on foot.
Deputies arrived in the area and contacted Graham on N. Fox Road near Cataldo Avenue. Graham continued walking away from the fully marked patrol car, which had its emergency lights activated.
A Deputy told him to stop, and Graham replied, “(Expletive) Off!” Graham was told he was not free to leave and to stop again, but he made the decision to ignore the lawful commands and continued to walk away. The Deputy explained that he didn’t want to arrest Graham, but he needed to stop walking away. Graham stopped, turned toward the Deputy, and said, “What?” as he walked toward him.
Graham explained he was experiencing psychosis and delusions and that he wasn’t going back to Eastern (Eastern State Hospital). The Deputy explained that he (Graham) was not free to leave and asked what happened earlier.
Graham turned and started to walk away again. The Deputy said no and grabbed Graham’s left arm. As he did, Graham suddenly twisted back toward the Deputy and threw a punch toward the Deputy’s face/head. Noticing Graham’s attempt to assault him, the Deputy broke contact and gained distance, causing Graham’s punch to miss its target.
Deputies pulled out their Tasers and began giving commands as a third Deputy grabbed Graham’s arms and took him to the ground. Seeing this, the Tasers were not used, and with Graham on the ground, they assisted in safely placing him in handcuffs.
After talking with the staff members, Deputies learned Graham broke a door/lock, throwing pieces down the hallway. He continued being disruptive, and his actions appeared to be escalating, but he left when the staff called 911.
Graham was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Assault 3rd Degree and Malicious Mischief 3rd Degree.
Neither Graham nor the Deputies were injured during this incident.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Disorderly Tenant Arrested after Trying to Hit Deputy when Contacted" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7