Deputy’s treatment by Subway employee becomes hot topic

Deputy’s treatment by Subway employee becomes hot topic

BONNERS FERRY — In a recent Facebook post, Boundary County Sheriff’s Deputy Travis Stolley said he was refused service by a Subway employee for being in law enforcement when he stopped for a bite to eat recently while on duty.

After Stolley posted about the incident on his Facebook account, it has become a hot topic on social media. As the incident was debated online, Subway took action and fired the employee involved, and many other area businesses expressed their support for law enforcement.

Stolley, a former Marine and resident of Bonners Ferry, lives in town along with his many family members.

In the Facebook post, Stolley said that he enjoys the many restaurants around Bonners Ferry and often finds it difficult to pay for meals because of the broad community support of law enforcement. The community is unique because the national climate has pushed a defunding and abolishing law enforcement; this is not the case in Boundary County, he noted.

“Random folks have gone above and beyond and picked up mine and many other members of law enforcement bills anonymously,” he wrote in the post.

Stolley posted he was upset by the incident, adding he had mixed feelings about speaking out about how he felt at the moment. He acknowledged that Subway management was working to mitigate the issue.

The employee who refused service to Stolley was terminated by ownership and management, owner of the local Bonners Ferry Subway franchise Rachel Jenkinson-Dilley said in a Facebook post.

Jenkinson-Dilley detailed her support for law enforcement in the post and noted the difficult jobs they perform. She added the incident is not an accurate representation of Subway or her values.

“We truly love our local officers, first responders, and medical workers, including our own family members who work in law enforcement,” Jenkinson-Dilley wrote.

While there was a lot of support, there also was criticisms of Stolley’s handling of the situation and his use social media as a public forum to humiliate the employee.

Alicia Abbott said Stolley used his position to be revered instead of de-escalating the situation.

“I don’t even consider you to be a responsible adult in this situation, let alone a responsible cop,” Abbot said

When Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer learned about the situation, it was a complete shock to learn Stolley was refused service because he works in law enforcement. He felt Subway did step up and took the appropriate actions.

Kramer said Stolley is a hard-working deputy who is active with local youth in teaching hunting safety and supporting local high school athletes. He did not deserve the treatment he received, Kramer added.

“I am proud of Deputy Stolley, who has served our country as a Marine and continues to serve our community as a deputy,” he said.

Kramer said he was disappointed by what happened and speculates that the national climate toward police officers could have contributed to the employee’s decision to refuse service.

After the story spread rapidly through social media, many local businesses and community members stepped up to provide free meals in support of local law enforcement. Among them are Mojo’s, Mugsy’s Tavern and Compass Grille, which offered free meals and have received massive contributions from residents to pay for law enforcement meals.

In his post, Stolley concluded by saying, “So please, join me in supporting the Bonners Ferry Subway for stepping up and showing they don’t stand for discrimination against anyone, including law enforcement.”