Sheriff's deputy loses job over restraining order

A King County sheriff's deputy has lost his job because a restraining order filed against him prohibited him from carrying a gun.

"It was determined that he was not able to do the essential functions of his job," said Sgt. Greg Dymerski, spokesman for the King County Sheriff's Office. "There was no other option at this point."

Deputy David Hick, 33, a 10-year veteran who lives in Woodinville, had worked at the Kenmore precinct as a patrol officer.

A 34-year-old attorney was granted a permanent restraining order against Hick on June 5 after she said Hick had made death threats against her, her family and her co-workers at an Issaquah law firm during and after a relationship that ended last spring. The order also bars Hick from coming within 1,000 feet of the woman or her children.

Hick’s attorney filed an appeal last week asking Issaquah District Court to reconsider the provision against carrying a gun. That request was denied yesterday. If the court order is ever reversed, Hick can apply for reinstatement to the sheriff’s office, Dymerski said.

"We support the sheriff's decision," said Mike Kenyon, the woman's attorney. "We all want to make sure that someone who has threatened to use a firearm to commit murders is someone we don't want on the street."

Michael Ko: 206-515-5653 or mko@seattletimes.com.