By John Dobberstein, Editor
WAGONER — A former Broken Arrow police officer who tased and pepper sprayed a neighbor’s dog and threatened to shoot the animal has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge and was given a deferred sentence.
William Roy Golden was originally charged in 2023 with felony animal cruelty and misdemeanor “outraging public decency” for unholstering his gun and threatening to shoot the dog. The charges came after a criminal investigation by the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office.
Prosecutors alleged Golden struck the 50-pound English bulldog, belonging to Arianna Ruiz, on the head, tased him 8 times and pepper sprayed him. A neighbor videotaped part of the encounter and posted it on Facebook.
After numerous delays in Wagoner County District Court stretching more than 2 years, Golden pleaded no contest April 13 to a single charge of disturbing the peace, for which he received a 6-month deferred sentence and was ordered to pay $626 in costs.
Golden must also not to seek law enforcement employment again, according to the court’s sentencing order.
Several months after he was charged, Golden was allowed to resign from the BAPD after an internal investigation of “alleged on-duty misconduct” was completed. He quit on the eve of his predetermination hearing, which is required by state law as part of due process prior to administration of employee discipline.
Golden was bound over for trial 13 months ago after a district judge found probable cause he committed the alleged crimes. He waived his right to a speedy trial last September and appeared in court this month with a new attorney.
The Sentinel reached out to Golden’s attorney, Scott McKenna of Tulsa, and Wagoner County District Attorney Jack Thorp Tuesday for comment.
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