Milwaukie Police Detective Arrested for Domestic Abuse

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - A Milwaukie Police detective was arrested for Domestic Abuse Tuesday morning, by deputies with the Clackamas Sheriff's Office.

Clackamas Sheriff Spokesman Det. Jim Strovink, says a 30-year-old mother of 4 children; who resides in an unincorporated area of Milwaukie, approached the front counter of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office to report an alleged incident of domestic violence.

"This reporting victim states she is the mother of four children ranging in ages from a one-year old infant, to the eldest being a thirteen-year-old child. The attending Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Desk Officer was informed by this reporting party she was the mother of a one-year-old infant, whose father is identified as a Milwaukie Police Department detective."

This Milwaukie Police detective identified is 36-year old Thomas E. Garrett, who is known to reside in the City of Portland, according to Strovink.

"The Desk Officer was also informed by this woman that Thomas Garrett allegedly physically assaulted her – in the presence of one or more of her children – minutes earlier, at approximately 7:00 a.m. inside her Milwaukie residence."

He says the desk officer summoned the assistance of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT). In answer to this request, a DVERT Detective and uniformed Clackamas County Deputy Sheriff responded to conduct additional interviews and pursue the allegations of this newly reported case of domestic violence.

"This team of investigators conducted a number of interviews and compiled all their investigative results. In addition, these specialized investigators initiated direct contact with Milwaukie Police Department supervisors alerting them to the ongoing criminal investigation."

Milwaukie Police responded to this notice very professionally and worked in a very cooperative fashion throughout this sensitive phase of this ongoing investigative effort."

Thomas Garrett is the biological father of a one-year-old infant whose mom says she is the victim of this reported domestic violence; which, did not result in any medically required attention to the reported victim.

"Garrett and his accuser do not reside together and are not considered legally married," Strovink added. At approximately 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Clackamas investigators responded to the Milwaukie Police Department, where they arrested Thomas Garrett; while he was working his shift at the Milwaukie Police Department.

Strovink says Garret, "was very cooperative during this arrest procedure. And, continued to be obliging with investigators while providing and consenting to a formal interview with the inquiring investigators."

He says the case now goes to the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office for consideration.

At 6:45 p.m. Thomas Garrett had been transported to the Clackamas County Jail and lodged for the related charge of Assault 4 (Abuse Prevention) – witnessed by children present – enhanced to a Class C Felony. Bail scheduled at $15,000.

He is now scheduled to appear for arraignment on this matter in Clackamas County Circuit Court, March 15TH, at 1:30 p.m.

Along with this incident, the NW law enforcement community has seen a tough week. An officer shot a suspect for running from a traffic stop, a man plunged 100 feet to his death running from a police traffic stop, a Washington trooper was shot in the head, a Roseburg officer was struck head-on during a police chase, a Clackamas veteran sheriff sergeant Murdered two women and shot a third before turning the gun on himself, and one of the state's top law enforcement officials with the AG's office was arrested over the weekend on assault and strangulation charges.

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real mothers April 21, 2010 2:56 pm (Pacific time)

milwaukie mother i agree with you. Have you seen his new girl friend! wow!! Looks like she has had a hard stripper life,and that mullet she has. I HOPE he gets the help he needs. For his kids and just maybe he will not go after crazy women.

Mr pink April 20, 2010 6:55 pm (Pacific time)

police are not required to arrest on accusation.There was a witnes that officers interviwed. That is why tom got arrested! Come on ted maybe you should get your facts straight before you comment!

Mr pink April 20, 2010 4:57 pm (Pacific time)

police are not required to arrest on accusation.There was a witnes that officers interviwed. That is why tom got arrested! Come on ted maybe you should get your facts straight before you comment!

Thecoolestpersonever April 18, 2010 9:25 pm (Pacific time)

All of you that are on Tom's side have NO idea what you are talking about and it's really sad that he has brainwashed and minipulated you into thinking that he's a "great" man. You all will see, the truth about him will come out, and I will laugh at how blind all of you really are. I'm VERY close to the victim, I've witnessed quite a few incidents. He may be nice to you people and put at act on for you, but he's just a mean power crazy cop that thinks he can get away with anything just because he knows people. He should be ashamed of himself and put in jail!!

amie April 16, 2010 11:08 pm (Pacific time)

This so called good man and cop should lose his job!

amie April 16, 2010 11:11 pm (Pacific time)

This so called good man and police officer should be fired!

Smith, Annie March 18, 2010 9:53 am (Pacific time)

DVERT is crap.Evreyone knows that. I wonder if he is one of the many cops who has various numbers blocked from his phone. This is not hearsy, more than one cop has done it. DO NOT TELL ON A COP. I can't wait to hear from the kids. Now, or in twenty years, you'll hear it all.

Somuchcrap February 25, 2010 2:14 pm (Pacific time)

Yeah a clean cut girl that works hard to support her children is "trouble". Are you sure this wasn't one of the other women in his life? The one that's all tattooed up maybe? Over the last 3 or so years I've watched him treat her so badly. He puts on such a good show, remember those news stories where neighbors of abusers and murderers say..."Wow, he was such a nice guy I would have never believed he could do such a thing" They want that positive outside perception of them, the disbelief that they are capable of harm.

Milwaukie mother February 24, 2010 9:42 pm (Pacific time)

It is sad that Tom is being drug through this. I have seen him with his children and he is a great father. As for her I have witnessed her with Tom and she has issues. The first time I saw Tom with her I told my boyfriend she looked and acted like trouble. I would definitely testify on his behalf. Tom me and my family will pray for you and your children.

:) February 20, 2010 11:44 pm (Pacific time)

I know Sarah on a very personal level and I have actually witnessed and seen text messages of him doing all these things. Thomas is the crazy one, you people have no idea of who he really is. He puts on a huge act of who he really is. You people should really get your facts straight, because when the truth comes out(and it will) you will all look, and feel really stupid. Everyone that is accusing the mother of being crazy should be ashamed of themselves, because truly you do not really know her.

james February 20, 2010 11:43 pm (Pacific time)

none.... How would you know what thomas did? Where you there like the two kids that witnessed the abuse? And there has been a lot of abuse in that relationship!You need to get your facts straight. You just sound ignorant.Women to women your a disgrace.........

Editor" Women to women... James? That is a very unique name for a woman.

flirting with slander February 20, 2010 9:28 pm (Pacific time)

To Editor please do take note of the many allegations and be cautious because I know the victim and she is not crazy. Crazy perhaps that it took her this long to come forward. Finally when she was more afraid to keep her silence than to go to the police.

none February 19, 2010 11:06 pm (Pacific time)

I have known Tom for several years. He didn't do what she is accusing him of. Straight up.she is a drama queen and if she can't get what she wants from him she causes problems. There is a documented history of that too. believe me. With lots of witnesses.He is a very well liked officer and a good human being. she again has a drama problem that is also well known. I don't understand why nice guys always end up with bad woman. And vis versa. So again get your facts straight before you make snap decisions. The police have to follow proceedure but I am willing to bet they drop the charges cause that dumb b***h wouldn't be able to keep up the lies through the court proccess.

Michelle February 19, 2010 9:08 pm (Pacific time)

The victim and all of her children are all victims. Do you think after going to the cops to file a report on a cop she feels safe? Think about the kind of strength it took to do that.

BS February 19, 2010 5:48 pm (Pacific time)

The kids and the victim ( MOM) are the victims here. No one should comment on allegations when they are not personally aware of the situation. Assuming the mom is crazy or making up the allegations is comletely obsurd and the reason that many women in this situation do not go to the police. Especially when the man that you are afraid of is a police officer. No one should be afraid of anyone hurting them... Ever

Richard February 19, 2010 4:50 pm (Pacific time)

Who is truely the victim here?? You must know the mother. So, there is one side of the story. For the sake of the children its good to know she's not crazy. In my opion the children are the only victims of these mess so far. The courts will decide which one of the adualts was truely a victim of the other. Believe me it will all come out in the wash.

Michelle February 19, 2010 1:54 pm (Pacific time)

In response to Richard. Three of her children are from her marriage, the youngest is the officer's. She is not crazy and she has NOT "done this before". How about you not be so quick to judge the victim.

Richard February 18, 2010 8:24 pm (Pacific time)

Poeple are so quick to judge the man. You never know that woman could be crazy.. Those three kids could all have different fathers. Has the mother ever done this before. Maybe this police officer is the victim? There is always two sides to a story. I truely believe there is a lot of great police officers out there today. I think this man is probably one of them. I think most people hate to see the police when they are doing wrong, when caught doing something wrong the feel they are being harassest. They do a service that many can't do. Most willing to give there life to protect and serve the public. There is only one who can judge, so let HIM do that.

Editor February 18, 2010 3:17 pm (Pacific time)

To 'Not True' - I have your comment and we are considering whether or not to publish it. If all of your allegations against the victim in this case are true they certainly deserve to be heard, but I fear we are flirting with slander here. If we determine that it is OK to publish then we will.

Ted February 18, 2010 2:20 am (Pacific time)

Don't forget that his side hasn't been heard yet. Police are required to arrest him if he is accused of the crime (whether or not he actually did it). He could be 100% innocent. Maybe you'd better get all the facts before jumping to conclusions!

vicky February 17, 2010 4:23 pm (Pacific time)

it seems to me there is more coprupt cops than honest ones

Wow February 17, 2010 3:52 pm (Pacific time)

Innocent until proven guilty right....

Begeera'smom February 17, 2010 2:07 pm (Pacific time)

This is just another cop that thinks he can do what ever he wants. By using intimidation and brute force. Good for the Mom (victim) for stepping up and pressing charges. It is a scary thing to do when a cop is harassing someone. I hope they throw the book at him.

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Milwaukie Police Detective Arrested for Domestic Abuse

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