Off-duty officer pulls gun during argument

By KATU Web Staff Published: Dec 22, 2007 at 6:57 PM PST Last Updated: Dec 23, 2007 at 11:11 AM PST
Off-duty officer pulls gun during argument
An off-duty Vancouver police officer told investigators he pulled out a handgun to defend himself after he got into an argument with an employee of this meat market on Friday.

VANCOUVER, Wash. - A Vancouver police officer was put on paid leave after he drew his gun while off duty during an argument that started inside a meat market, authorities said.

Vancouver police asked the Clark County Sheriff's Office to investigate the incident, which occurred at the Top Choice Meat Market at 12313 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd. about 4 p.m. Friday.

According to the sheriff's office, the off-duty officer got into an argument with an employee inside the store, and they both eventually went outside to the parking lot. At some point, the off-duty officer told deputies, he felt threatened and pulled out a handgun to defend himself, the sheriff's office said. Officers arrived and calmed everyone down.

Investigators did not release the name of the off-duty officer. He was put on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in such incidents.