Sheriff Hatcher Hits Back at County With Huge $$ Tort Claim In the ongoing 'war' between Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher and the County, now comes this. Hatcher has filed a $4 million dollar tort claim against the County, claiming the following, among a variety of issues: (Certain County Officials) "have violated the County Anti-Harassment/discrimination policy or have used a double standard in enforcing the policy, County Officials have failed to follow the law, uphold their oath of office and in some case violated various laws of the state of Washington". Hatcher has been battling the county since at least October of 2019 when domestic issues resulted in him being accused of abuse concerning a fight he had with his estranged wife.