Washington County Sheriff's deputy resigns amid internal investigation

He was subject of internal probe

Hulsey
Hulsey

FAYETTEVILLE -- Cpl. Steven Hulsey, a 19-year veteran of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, was arrested Monday and faces felony charges of aggravated assault, domestic battery, false imprisonment and terroristic threatening in connection with an incident Thursday at his home in Greenland.

Hulsey, 43, submitted his resignation to Sheriff Tim Helder on Wednesday amid an internal investigation by the Sheriff's Office, according to documents released Monday by County Attorney Steve Zega.

Web watch

Go to the online version of this story at nwadg.com to read a copy of Cpl. Steven Hulsey’s resignation and termination notices with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The last day Hulsey reportedly worked for the Sheriff's Office was Feb. 6.

Greenland Police Chief Gary Ricker said Monday, before Hulsey was arrested, "Our investigation really has nothing to do with his resignation."

Zega wouldn't comment on the nature of the Sheriff's Office's internal investigation, citing two ongoing external investigations.

One of those investigations involved the Greenland Police Department. Zega wouldn't identify the other party investigating.

According to a preliminary arrest report, Greenland officers went to 104 S. Napier Ave. at 3:23 p.m. Thursday after a report Hulsey was threatening "suicide by cop." Hulsey was barricaded in the master bedroom, according to the report.

After an hour-and-a-half of conversations with police, Hulsey left the bedroom and was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville for a possible self-induced prescription drug overdose.

Ricker said Hulsey was later transferred to a facility in Springdale.

According to the arrest report, Hulsey had been involved in multiple arguments with his ex-wife, Marketa Hulsey, for about a week. The arguments involved the Sheriff's Office internal investigation, according to the report.

Marketa Hulsey told police her ex-husband choked her until she blacked out Thursday. After police were called, Marketa Hulsey left the house.

Police found a loaded assault rifle and a pistol in the room where Steven Hulsey barricaded himself.

Hulsey is a veteran crime scene investigator and undercover narcotics detective, according to his social media accounts.

He's a board member of the International Crime Scene Investigators Association and a contract instructor for the University of Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute in Little Rock, an institute spokeswoman confirmed Monday.

According to Steve Voorhies, university spokesman, Hulsey was hired as an instructor of sociology in January, but his employment was terminated following Thursday's incident.

"Steps are being taken to make sure his classes are being taught, and counseling is available for students who may need it," Voorhies said.

Hulsey's base salary with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, excluding overtime, was $47,590, according to Lindsi Huffaker, county human resources director. Kelly Cantrell, spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office, said he worked there since February 1996.

He earned $1,111 per month as a university instructor, Voorhies said.

Steven Hulsey was released Monday from the Washington County Detention Center on $5,000 bond.

Joel Walsh can be reached by email at jwalsh@nwadg.com or on Twitter @NWAJoel.

NW News on 04/28/2015

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