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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Bear Creek cleanup targets winter debris ... County wants study before putting SOHS district to a vote ... Ocean chinook season to be shortest in eight years ... Bear Creek cleanup targets winter debris ... County wants study before putting SOHS district to a vote ... Ocean chinook season to be shortest in eight years ... MALHEUR REFUGE STANDOFF County sheriff who met Malheur refuge occupiers plans to sue city Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 12, 2016 at 3:11 PM By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 12, 2016 at 3:11 PM » Social News PENDLETON — An Oregon sheriff under investigation for meeting with those who occupied a national wildlife refuge has filed notice that he plans to sue the city of John Day. The East Oregonian newspaper reports an attorney for Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer alleges that a dispatcher breached a contract by withholding information about the Jan. 26 traffic stop that led to the arrest of standoff leader Ammon Bundy and the shooting death of occupier Robert "LaVoy" Finicum. Palmer was traveling toward the roadblock, and the notice says the lack of information put his life in danger, especially since the dispatcher told officers that the sheriff was traveling with an occupier. Palmer's attorney, Benjamin Boyd, said the passenger was Jim Carpenter, the Grant County district attorney. Palmer twice met with occupiers who traveled to visit him, generating some complaints he was supporting lawbreakers. The state Justice Department announced last month it would investigate Palmer's actions. In her complaint about Palmer, Valerie Luttrell, John Day's manager of emergency communications, said federal and state authorities viewed the sheriff as a security leak, and that's why the dispatcher kept him out of the loop on the night of the traffic stop. City Manager Peggy Gray said Tuesday that the city does not comment on pending litigation. Palmer has repeatedly declined to return calls about the complaints, and the tort notice represents his first public defense. Such a notice is required before filing a lawsuit against a public body. The notice said Luttrell's assertion that Palmer openly shows support for the occupiers on social media is false, as is the allegation he was consorting with them. John Day Police Chief Richard Gray expressed similar concerns in his complaint about the sheriff, and the notice said his words are also false. Palmer has been sheriff of the sparsely populated and politically conservative county since 2000. His county borders the one in which the 41-day standoff took place. He belongs to the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, which describes itself as the "last line of defense standing between the overreaching federal government and your Constitutionally guaranteed rights." By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 12, 2016 at 3:11 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501