Police officer arrested for disorderly conduct
Staff reporter
Marion Police Officer James Parmley, 29, was relieved of his duties this past week by the City of Marion.
According to Marion City Attorney Dan Baldwin employment matters are strictly confidential and all he could verify was that Parmley was terminated from his position.
Baldwin would not verify if the termination was related to Parmley being arrested July 28 for disorderly conduct.
Parmley was arrested following an incident that began at 12:30 p.m. July 28 when Parmley, his wife, and two children were at the home of Brad and Becky Vannocker, 1075 160th, Hillsboro, the mother and stepfather of Parmley's wife.
According to Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker and a report filed by the reporting officer, Undersheriff Randal Brazil, authorities were called to the residence by Jessica Vannocker, a daughter of the owners.
An argument had occurred between sisters Jessica Vannocker and Melissa Parmley, James' wife. One of the Parmleys' children ran from the house, telling their father that someone was hurting their mother.
James Parmley told authorities that he thought his wife was being injured so he grabbed his .40 Sig Sauer handgun from his truck and ran toward the house.
Becker said Vannocker claimed she could see Parmley coming to the house with the gun. According to the report, Parmley then fired the gun into the ground three times.
The Parmley family left the residence four or five minutes later, Becker said. A total of two spent shell casings were recovered at the scene by authorities.
At 2:30 p.m. that same day, Melissa Parmley was interviewed by Brazil and voluntarily agreed to make a statement.
At 2:49 p.m., Becker said James Parmley was interviewed at Marion Police Department. The interview was recorded.
"Everybody's stories matched up," Becker said.
When the interview was completed, acting county attorney Keith Collett was contacted by authorities to determine what charges should be filed. Marion County Attorney Susan Robson was on vacation. With information from Collett, authorities charged Parmley with disorderly conduct and he was arrested at the police department.
For misdemeanor cases such as disorderly conduct, suspects often are served a summons and required to appear in court instead of being arrested.
"Safety is the most important consideration," Becker said.
He continued that it is at the discretion of the investigating officer if an arrest should be made when an individual is charged with such a crime.
"When a suspect is arrested, it is putting that person on notice that if he makes contact with the victim, he will be arrested again," Becker said, which are per the conditions of the bond.
Diffusing the situation was the purpose for arresting and booking Parmley. Parmley made bail after he was booked and the city placed him on two weeks' administrative leave without pay.
Disorderly conduct is a class C misdemeanor and typically punishable for first offenders with a suspended sentence and probation.
Was Parmley treated any different by the county sheriff's department because he was a police officer?
"Members of law enforcement are trained to handle firearms," Becker said, "and the public holds them to a higher standard."
So, "no," Becker said.
Is it common for off-duty law enforcement officers to have loaded handguns in their personal vehicles? Yes, Becker said.
"I personally don't have one but it is not uncommon for officers to have them."
Marion Police Chief Josh Whitwell also said that not all officers carry weapons but some do.
When asked to confirm the information that Parmley was fired by the city, Whitwell said he could not confirm or deny.
"I can say that James was a good officer and had been with the department for almost three years," he said.
Robson said the investigation has been completed and the report turned over to her for prosecution.
