Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
SPOKANE — Barbara Rockness is suing Whitman County for lack of a policy prohibiting romantic relationships between deputies and former victims of crime.
The Rosalia woman named her ex-husband and former Whitman County undersheriff Ron Rockness as a defendant in the lawsuit, seeking money for his alleged abuse.
Ron Rockness served in law enforcement for 17 years before resigning his position after being charged in Whitman County with felony assault in the second degree for alleged domestic violence against Barbara Rockness. Asotin County Prosecutor Ben Nichols is handling the case and a jury trial is set for Aug. 16.
The federal lawsuit was filed recently in US District Court for Eastern Washington in Spokane. The county insurance company, Ephrata-based Clear Risk Solutions, appointed legal counsel in defense. She is represented by the law firm Myers & Company in Seattle.
The couple met in 2017 when Ron Rockness responded to a 9-1-1 call when she accused a previous husband of verbally abusing her. In March of 2018 a romantic relationship began between the two and they married in June 2019, according to her lawsuit. They divorced on Feb. 8, 2021, according to Spokane County court records.
Four months later she accused Ron Rockness of verbally abusing her, forcing a door open, and injuring her arm. The next month she accused him of verbally abusing her again and forcing his way into their home.
She reported verbal abuse a third time in December 2019 and accused him of breaking her finger when taking a purse from her. The ring finger of her right hand was caught in a strap. Ron Rockness was charged with assault in the second degree – domestic violence.
“Every time he abused her he’d warn her that calling 9-1-1 would be useless because one of his friends within the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office would undoubtedly respond to the call and disbelieve her,” Barbara Rockness’s attorneys wrote.
“At no time during Mr. Rockness’s employment did Whitman County have a policy prohibiting law enforcement officers from forming romantic relationships with crime victims,” state her attorneys.
“As a result of Whitman County’s failure to establish a policy probating law enforcement officers from forming romantic relationships with crime victims, Ms. Rockness has sustained personal injuries and suffered economic and non-economic damages in an amount to be proven at trial,” claim the plaintiff’s attorneys.
Barbara Rockness is claiming damages from Ron Rockness’s negligence, battery and assault, outrage, and a violation of municipal liability. She wants “monetary judgment in an amount sufficient to compensate her for damages suffered …” plus her attorney fees.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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