Investigation complete into former state police spokesman

Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 28, 2018

A criminal investigation into Oregon State Police Capt. William Fugate is complete and has been sent for review to Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel.

Fugate, 42, of Redmond, served as the agency’s chief spokesman. He was placed on administrative leave in February, the same time his wife asked for a restraining order against him, saying she feared he would shoot her.

Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson delivered the investigation, completed by his office, to Hummel on Friday.

Hummel will review the evidence to determine if Fugate committed any crimes.

Once Hummel completes his review, he will announce his findings, he said in a statement released by his office.

“The public deserves to know that no person is above the law, including senior members of law enforcement agencies,” Hummel said Friday. “At the same time, members of law enforcement enjoy the same presumption of innocence as everyone else. My team and I will give this case the attention it deserves and make the decision that is warranted based on the evidence and the law.”

The sheriff’s office and district attorney are not releasing details of the allegations against Fugate.

But the day he was placed on administrative leave, Feb. 28, his wife, Georgina Monrean-Fugate, filed a petition for a restraining order against him.

The order was granted by Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Alta Brady.

Monrean-Fugate, of Bend, stated in her petition she felt her husband was a danger to himself and others. She said her husband came to their home late at night Nov. 9, took her phone and prevented her from leaving.

“He had a gun, and I feared that he would shoot me,” she said in the petition.

Monrean-Fugate reported the incident to the sheriff’s office on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, according to the petition.

Fugate and Monrean-Fugate were married in 1997.

She works as a high school teacher.

Fugate has worked with Oregon State Police for about 11 years. The couple have two children.

Monrean-Fugate filed for divorce Jan 24.

— Reporter: 541-617-7820, kspurr@bendbulletin.com

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