On June 20, 2011, Deputy McKnight was involved in the fatal shooting of Steven Petersen. The incident occurred when Petersen, reported to be carrying a large knife, allegedly lunged at Deputy McKnight after refusing commands. A lawsuit filed by Petersen’s estate in October 2012 accused Deputy McKnight of acting recklessly and negligently. However, after an investigation, the Lewis County Prosecutor declined to bring criminal charges, determining that Deputy McKnight’s actions did not violate any criminal laws. A separate Safety Review Board found that he complied with the Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures during the incident.
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