Police: Drunk Washoe deputy threatened helicopter with gun

SPARKS — A 41-year-old Washoe County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested in Spanish Springs after police say he was firing a gun while drunk and threatened to shoot at a sheriff’s helicopter.

Sparks police say Robert Brunsvold was arrested Sunday for suspicion of possession of a firearm while intoxicated and resisting police with a firearm. His bail was set at $20,000. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer.

Sparks police said in a statement Monday that Brunsvold was taken into custody several hours after a SWAT team was mobilized early Sunday morning in response to a call about a possibly suicidal man who was intoxicated.

Police say Brunsvold has served 10 years as a deputy in the sheriff’s office and is currently assigned to the patrol division.