Sunnyside police officer resigns after domestic violence allegations

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — A Sunnyside police officer resigned Friday prior to months of investigation related to domestic violence allegations.

Officer Anthony Russell was arrested earlier this month after a woman told Yakima County Sheriff’s deputies he threatened her with a knife and AR-15 rifle. He’s also accused of pinning the woman on the ground, leaving bruises and rug burn.

He’s being held at the Yakima County Jail on $250,000 bail.

Russell has been on paid leave since October for an internal investigation on policy violations, the Yakima Herald-Republic reports.

The alleged incident with the woman occurred in January. However, there have been several instances where authorities have shown up to Russell’s Lower Valley home to investigate a domestic disturbance, police said.

Russell had been a Sunnyside police officer for eight years. His career in law enforcement started with the Mabton Police Department.