2-25-2006 Nevada:LAKE SHASTINA - The search for a Siskiyou County sheriff's sergeant wanted on charges of molesting a teenager ended in a Las Vegas motel room, where his body was found Thursday morning with a bullet wound to the head.
The Clark County, Nev., coroner's office ruled the death a suicide, a spokeswoman said.
Sgt. Glenn A. Kruger, 43, of Lake Shastina, is survived by his wife and three sons. He had been with the Sheriff's Department for eight years and most recently was a patrol sergeant for the Yreka area.
"He was a great officer. I've been the sheriff for three years, and he was one of the best I had. Unfortunately, people sometimes make errors in judgment," Siskiyou County Sheriff Rick Riggins said about the allegations Kruger faced.
Kruger fled the north state area before he could be arrested on charges stemming from a complaint filed with the Lake Shastina Police Department by a 16-year-old, whose name and gender were not released.
Lake Shastina Police Chief Rick Alves told The Bee earlier this week that a $100,000 warrant was issued for Kruger on Tuesday afternoon on charges of sexual battery by restraint, attempted unlawful sexual intercourse, child molestation and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime.
Alves said the alleged sexual misconduct did not happen while the officer was on duty. He contacted Kruger asking him to come to the police station for an interview, but the officer left the area before the interview could take place.
"There's no doubt the teenager was right in making a report," Sheriff Riggins said, adding that counseling is available to the family "as well as for everyone in the department."
Riggins lamented the sergeant's death. "This is a very difficult situation for everyone concerned. For the department, it's like a death in the family."
Kruger was promoted to sergeant in September, 2005. He was a crisis negotiator for the Sheriff Department's special response team. He and six other members were recognized as Deputy Sheriff of the Year and County Peace Officer of the Year in 2004.
The sheriff said everyone on the team deserved their awards after a domestic violence shooting.
A memorial service is planned for March 3, in Mount Shasta. The Siskiyou County Deputy Sheriff's Association has set up a memorial fund at P.O. Box 42, Yreka, CA 96097. ..Source.. by Christine Vovakes -- Sacramento Bee Correspondent
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