Ellensburg Woman Sentenced for Assaulting Police Officer

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A Kittitas County woman has been sentenced to a month in jail after pleading guilty to assaulting two people, including a police officer, last winter. Amanda Lynn Lathrop of Ellensburg was arrested in February 2025 after an incident at an apartment complex where she allegedly kicked an officer in the groin and made threats to kill them as she was being taken into custody.

Why it matters

Assaults on law enforcement officers are a serious concern, as they put public safety at risk and undermine the ability of police to effectively serve their communities. This case highlights the need for appropriate consequences and interventions to address underlying issues that may contribute to such violent behavior.

The details

According to court records, Lathrop had been looking to obtain drugs at an apartment complex in Ellensburg when she engaged in a physical altercation with a family member. When police arrived, Lathrop kicked an officer in the groin and made threats to kill them as she was being arrested and transported to jail. Lathrop had initially agreed to plead guilty in exchange for entering a behavioral health program, but prosecutors say she did not follow through on that deal.

• The incident occurred in February 2025.
• Lathrop was sentenced in Kittitas County Superior Court last week.

What’s next

The judge's decision on Lathrop's sentence highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing appropriate consequences for violent behavior with efforts to address underlying mental health and substance abuse issues that may contribute to such incidents.