Cheney police chief resigns over declining health
Feb. 28—Cheney police Chief Richard Beghtol resigned from the department this week due to declining health, the department said in a social media post.
Beghtol was named chief in 2022 after 10 years with the department and additional years with the Washington State Patrol and Eastern Washington University Police Department.
"His leadership was pivotal in implementing the transition to the New World/Dispatch system for SREC, which has streamlined our response capabilities. Under his guidance, we established the West Plains Crisis Response collaboration, secured a second detective position, and launched a dedicated traffic unit, placing a strong emphasis on traffic enforcement," the post said. "Chief Beghtol has left an indelible mark on the men and women of the Cheney Police Department. His commitment to our community and dedication to public safety will be remembered fondly. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement. Thank you, Chief Beghtol, for your service and leadership."
Beghtol moved to Spokane from Colorado when he was 9 years old, according to the Cheney Free Press. He was named Cheney's "Officer of the Year" in 2017.
A call to request information on a potential interim police chief or a rehiring process went unanswered Friday afternoon.
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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Evil': New video released in hunt for Travis Decker, suspected of killing his 3 daughters
Officials have released additional photos and new video they say show a Washington state father on the run from law enforcement in connection to the slayings of his three young daughters. Travis Decker, 32, is wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder, and custodial interference in the killings of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5. Following a more than two-day search for the sisters, Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies on Monday, June 2 found the siblings' bodies at a remote campground with plastic bags over each of their heads and evidence they had been zip-tied, court papers obtained by USA TODAY revealed. The tragic findings sparked a manhunt, and Chelan County Sheriff's Office told USA TODAY on Thursday afternoon, June 5 it was narrowing its search for Decker after gathering "new information" in the case. An online fundraiser for sisters' mother had also raised nearly $1 million by Thursday afternoon, June 5. Authorities released new photos and videos of the suspect, Travis Decker, who was the subject of a manhunt involving local, state and federal officials. The children's mother, Whitney Decker, reported the children missing Friday, May 30, police said, after the siblings left their Wenatchee home for a planned visit for their father. Their home is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. Washington State Patrol issued a statewide Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) for the girls on Saturday, May 31. Washington State Patrol was originally contacted on May 30 to request an Amber Alert but the situation "did not meet the required criteria" at the time, Wenatchee police said. Police tracked Decker's truck and learned the vehicle had traveled west on Highway 2 from Wenatchee on May 30. On Monday, June 2, a Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputy found the Travis Decker's white 2017 GMC Sierra truck near Rock Island Campground, about 40 miles northwest of Wenatchee. Officials found the girls' bodies during a search near the truck, but their father was nowhere to be found. Officers searched the area immediately surrounding the vehicle and found the bodies of the three missing girls about 75-100 yards past the vehicle, down a small embankment, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY. Investigators traced Travis Decker's cell phone, which revealed he had visited the same campground a day prior to the girls' kidnapping, court papers show. More than $900,000 was raised in an online fundraiser to help the sibling's mother, Whitney Decker, as Travis Decker, her ex-husband, remained at large. "These girls were true light in this world and and it is a darker place without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces," organizer Amy Edwards, of Wenatchee, wrote on the GoFundMe page. "I am upping the goal amount of this fundraiser so Whitney can take time off, care for herself and cover the final expenses of the girls without taking a financial hit," Edwards wrote on the page. "Every little bit counts. Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Take some time to today to tell someone you love them." As of 2:30 p.m. ET on June 5, people had donated more than $900,00 to the fundraiser, which had a goal of over $1 million. "This world is full of suffering and evil that we will never understand," Edwards wrote in a separate post on her Facebook page. "Our hearts are broken and our souls are weary. Rest peacefully sweet angels. We will miss your beautiful light, your giggles and laughter and seeing you every week. Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia, you will never be forgotten." USA TODAY has reached out to Edwards. Just before noon local time on June 5, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office released updated information about law enforcement's efforts. "Our teams have written and executed several search warrants around the area and on electronic devices that belonged to Travis Decker," Undersheriff Dan Ozment said adding officials had "gathered new information which in turn has given us more leads to follow up on." Ozment did not elaborate but warned those who own cabins or live in remote areas of Chelan, Kittitas King, Snohomish, and Okanagan counties to be on high alert because Decker was still at large. "As law enforcement conducts their searches, we are asking for those owners to lock allof their doors, to include any sheds out outbuildings, and leave their window blinds open and we recommend leaving outside lights on," Ozment wrote in the statement. Authorities in Washington state said Decker may have scoped out a hiding location before venturing into the wilderness using outdoor survival skills. Investigators learned from Decker's father he is well-versed in outdoor survival, a skill that may have assisted his efforts to avoid detection, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said at a June 4 news conference. In addition to being an outdoorsman, Decker attended mountain survival school and served in the U.S. Army. "It sounds like at times he would go out and would be (living) off grid for sometimes up to two and a half months," Morrison told reporters. "He could have scoped out this area before (he) put supplies out there and has the ability and the knowledge to survive for a long period of time." The three girls likely died of asphyxiation, court filings reveal. "Their wrists were also zipped tied or showed signs of being zip tied," according to the affidavit, and each girl was found with a plastic bag over her head. Travis Decker had exhibited mental health issues prior to the girls' deaths, the court filings show. Contributing: Anthony Robledo Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Decker manhunt: New video released after 3 girls found dead
USA Today
15 hours ago
- USA Today
'Evil': New video released in hunt for Travis Decker, suspected of killing his 3 daughters
'Evil': New video released in hunt for Travis Decker, suspected of killing his 3 daughters Show Caption Hide Caption New footage of Travis Decker released amid manhunt Travis Decker is wanted on first-degree murder charges in connection with deaths of his three daughters. Officials have released additional photos and new video they say show a Washington state father on the run from law enforcement in connection to the slayings of his three young daughters. Travis Decker, 32, is wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder, and custodial interference in the killings of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5. Following a more than two-day search for the sisters, Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies on Monday, June 2 found the siblings' bodies at a remote campground with plastic bags over each of their heads and evidence they had been zip-tied, court papers obtained by USA TODAY revealed. The tragic findings sparked a manhunt, and Chelan County Sheriff's Office told USA TODAY on Thursday afternoon, June 5 it was narrowing its search for Decker after gathering "new information" in the case. An online fundraiser for sisters' mother had also raised nearly $1 million by Thursday afternoon, June 5. New photos, video released of Travis Decker Authorities released new photos and videos of the suspect, Travis Decker, who was the subject of a manhunt involving local, state and federal officials. When did the three Washington sisters disappear? The children's mother, Whitney Decker, reported the children missing Friday, May 30, police said, after the siblings left their Wenatchee home for a planned visit for their father. Their home is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. Washington State Patrol issued a statewide Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) for the girls on Saturday, May 31. Washington State Patrol was originally contacted on May 30 to request an Amber Alert but the situation "did not meet the required criteria" at the time, Wenatchee police said. Police tracked Decker's truck and learned the vehicle had traveled west on Highway 2 from Wenatchee on May 30. On Monday, June 2, a Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputy found the Travis Decker's white 2017 GMC Sierra truck near Rock Island Campground, about 40 miles northwest of Wenatchee. Officials found the girls' bodies during a search near the truck, but their father was nowhere to be found. Officers searched the area immediately surrounding the vehicle and found the bodies of the three missing girls about 75-100 yards past the vehicle, down a small embankment, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY. Investigators traced Travis Decker's cell phone, which revealed he had visited the same campground a day prior to the girls' kidnapping, court papers show. 'These girls were true light' More than $900,000 was raised in an online fundraiser to help the sibling's mother, Whitney Decker, as Travis Decker, her ex-husband, remained at large. "These girls were true light in this world and and it is a darker place without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces," organizer Amy Edwards, of Wenatchee, wrote on the GoFundMe page. "I am upping the goal amount of this fundraiser so Whitney can take time off, care for herself and cover the final expenses of the girls without taking a financial hit," Edwards wrote on the page. "Every little bit counts. Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Take some time to today to tell someone you love them." As of 2:30 p.m. ET on June 5, people had donated more than $900,00 to the fundraiser, which had a goal of over $1 million. "This world is full of suffering and evil that we will never understand," Edwards wrote in a separate post on her Facebook page. "Our hearts are broken and our souls are weary. Rest peacefully sweet angels. We will miss your beautiful light, your giggles and laughter and seeing you every week. Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia, you will never be forgotten." USA TODAY has reached out to Edwards. Warning: 'Please be aware' Just before noon local time on June 5, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office released updated information about law enforcement's efforts. "Our teams have written and executed several search warrants around the area and on electronic devices that belonged to Travis Decker," Undersheriff Dan Ozment said adding officials had "gathered new information which in turn has given us more leads to follow up on." Ozment did not elaborate but warned those who own cabins or live in remote areas of Chelan, Kittitas King, Snohomish, and Okanagan counties to be on high alert because Decker was still at large. "As law enforcement conducts their searches, we are asking for those owners to lock allof their doors, to include any sheds out outbuildings, and leave their window blinds open and we recommend leaving outside lights on," Ozment wrote in the statement. Travis Decker well-versed in outdoor survival Authorities in Washington state said Decker may have scoped out a hiding location before venturing into the wilderness using outdoor survival skills. Investigators learned from Decker's father he is well-versed in outdoor survival, a skill that may have assisted his efforts to avoid detection, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said at a June 4 news conference. In addition to being an outdoorsman, Decker attended mountain survival school and served in the U.S. Army. "It sounds like at times he would go out and would be (living) off grid for sometimes up to two and a half months," Morrison told reporters. "He could have scoped out this area before (he) put supplies out there and has the ability and the knowledge to survive for a long period of time." How did the Decker sister's die? The three girls likely died of asphyxiation, court filings reveal. "Their wrists were also zipped tied or showed signs of being zip tied," according to the affidavit, and each girl was found with a plastic bag over her head. Travis Decker had exhibited mental health issues prior to the girls' deaths, the court filings show. Contributing: Anthony Robledo Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Enchantments region closed for deeper Travis Decker investigation
The Brief The Enchantments trail region will be closed until June 18 or further notice as authorities continue their search for Travis Decker. Decker is wanted for the kidnapping and murder of his three children. Authorities encourage the public to avoid the area for their safety. LEAVENWORTH, Wash. - The Enchantments trail region will be closed following investigations into Travis Decker, the father suspected of killing his three daughters in Wenatchee, according to officials. The popular trail and mountain region will be closed until at least June 18 or until further notice as investigators continue the manhunt for Decker, who is wanted by authorities for the kidnapping and murder of his daughters Olivia, 5, Evelyn, 8, and Paityn, 9. The backstory Three Wenatchee girls, ages 5, 8 and 9, reported missing since Friday, May 30, were found dead on Monday. The Washington State Patrol was contacted Friday night to request an AMBER Alert, but it did not meet the required criteria. On Saturday, Wenatchee Police detectives provided additional information, and an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) was issued. Authorities are searching for Travis Decker, wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in connection with the deaths of his daughters. The girls' bodies were found at Rock Island Campground on June 3, days after they were reported missing, with preliminary examinations suggesting asphyxiation as the cause of death. Decker, described as a former military member with extensive training, should not be approached by the public due to potential risk. A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to Decker's arrest; he is considered dangerous, and law enforcement urges anyone with information to contact the U.S. Marshals or Chelan County Sheriff's Office. What we know Law enforcement agencies are continuing an extensive search for Travis Decker, the man wanted for the kidnapping and murder of his three daughters in Wenatchee. On Wednesday afternoon, aerial and ground operations were underway with additional federal investigators joining the manhunt. Authorities are on site at the Johnny Creek Campground in Leavenworth. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and partner agencies are conducting a large-scale search across Chelan County, including local national forest and wilderness areas. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office has provided two helicopters to assist in the search, and the CCSO Air Support Unit is also conducting air operations in similar areas. A possible sighting of Decker was reported in McCall, Idaho. However, in a later press conference, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said it likely wasn't Decker. What's next Officials strongly encourage the public to avoid the Enchantments area while investigations continue into the search for Decker. Chatter Creek Campground Chatter Creek Trailhead Johnny Creek Campground Eightmile Trailhead Bridge Creek Campground Ida Creek Campground Icicle Creek Trailhead Icicle Group Campground Icicle Gorge Trailhead Eightmile Campground Snow Lakes Trailhead Stuart Lake Trailhead Rock Island Campground Blackpine Horse Camp Icicle Ridge Trailhead Fourth of July Trailhead Blackpine Trailhead This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The Source Information in this article is from the United STates Department of Agriculture Forest Service of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Chelan County Sheriff's Office and Chelan County Mountain Rescue. Search intensifies for Travis Decker at Leavenworth, WA campground WA man shot, killed during filming of dog training exercise involving live gunfire 'Belltown Hellcat' testifies in Seattle reckless driving trial—what he said PWHL Seattle lands U.S. hockey legend Hilary Knight as first signing Man found guilty in fatal I-5 crash that killed WA State Patrol trooper To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
