Post by WaTcHeR on Feb 28, 2006 12:35:40 GMT -5
02/26/2006 - LAKE SHASTINA -- A man found dead in a Las Vegas motel room was identified Friday as a Siskiyou County Sheriff's sergeant who was wanted for child molestation, Lake Shastina police said.
Sgt. Glenn A. Kruger, 43, of Lake Shastina disappeared earlier this week after a 16-year-old girl reported being abused.
$100,000 arrest warrant issued Tuesday charged Kruger with child molestation, dissuading a witness from reporting a crime, sexual battery by restraint and attempted sexual intercourse.
Late Thursday morning, Kruger was found in a motel room on Boulder Highway, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Clark County Coroner's Office in Nevada reported.
Kruger's best friend, sheriff's Lt. Jim Betts, said Kruger was well known and liked by officers in Siskiyou and Shasta counties.
"I just can't stress enough how devastated all the law enforcement officers are," Betts said.
Kruger left behind a note for his wife and another for Betts, the lieutenant said. The two have been friends for eight years -- as long as Kruger had worked for the sheriff's department.
Kruger was promoted to sergeant in September.
"He was well respected and he had spent eight years of his career going strong and serving the community," Betts said.
"This was a tragic mistake," he said of his friend's death.
Kruger is survived by his wife, Yolanda, and three sons, all younger than 10, the sheriff's office reported. He grew up in Weed and last lived in the Lake Shastina area, Betts said, although the coroner's office reported that his residence is in Hornbrook.
The coroner identified Kruger's body Friday afternoon, Lake Shastina Police Chief Rick Alves said.
"It is Mr. Kruger," Alves said. "He was found as a suicide victim in either a hotel or motel room."
Alves did not know why Kruger went to Las Vegas, when he arrived at the motel or when he died, he said. It also was unknown if Kruger's service weapon was used in his death, Alves said.
The police department expected to receive a detailed report from the coroner's office later Friday.