BELLEVUE, Wash. – Prosecutors say a former manager of Bellevue police dispatchers stole tens of thousands of dollars set aside for Bellevue's Police Benevolent Association.
Friends and co-worker describe Pamela Rae Heide as likable and trustworthy. That is why so many people are surprised to learn she is charged with stealing more than $80,000 from the fund.
The fund was established in 2000 to help fallen or injured officers. Some of the money was sent to the families of the four Lakewood officers who were recently killed.
This week, King County prosecutors charged Heide with one count of theft in the first degree.
Heide is a former manager of Bellevue police dispatchers and former treasurer of the Association. According to court papers, when Heide was in charge of the books, she stole more than $80,000 from the fund. At one point, the fund only had $1.38 in it.
Former Association President Carla Iafrate was shocked to learn of the crime.
"I just know we were all saddened to find out that somebody you trusted did that," she said.
The theft came to light during a confession. Prosecutors say Heide admitted to the theft when a new president took over. Court papers say Heide told investigators she took the money after she had "sustained financial difficulties after going through a divorce and went through a period of depression."
According to charging papers, Heide confessed to using 70 percent of the stolen money on casino gambling and the other 30 percent on bills.
According to the Association, Heide returned the money after selling her house and using funds she received after being laid off from the Bellevue Police Department.
"We were lucky to have the funds returned," said Iafrate.
The Benevolent Fund has since changed its policies.
"We are happy to say we have double checks so this doesn't happen again," said Iafrate.
Heide did not wish to comment on the case to KING 5 News.
She is scheduled to face a judge Feb. 11.
