Panther Honored With Award To Be Named After Him

A former Spokane police chief was recognized Thursday as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by a local civic club.

Robert Panther, surprised by the announcement during a luncheon meeting of the Exchange Club, accepted the award before a group of 60 people.

“This is an absolute, total surprise,” Panther said, clutching the plaque inscribed with his name. He waved at his wife, Jean, who sneaked into the meeting at the Ridpath Hotel without him knowing.

Club officials said a creed of the group nationally is to honor law enforcement officers who are injured in the line of duty. But Exchange Club members in Spokane decided “we shouldn’t have to wait until our officers are wounded to recognize them,” said City Attorney Rocco Treppiedi.

Instead, they created a local law enforcement award, and named it after Panther, 59. It will be given annually to officers who dedicate themselves to their profession and are involved in the community, Treppiedi said.

“It’s appropriate for us to start with Robert Panther,” said John Sullivan, a Spokane police captain who once worked with the former chief.

“The community owes him an incredible debt. He laid the foundation for all of the things we are getting national recognition for now.”

A 1954 graduate of Central Valley High School, Panther holds degrees in law enforcement from Spokane Community College and in business administration from Whitworth College. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1974.

He moved steadily through the Spokane Police Department ranks starting in 1957, earning promotions to sergeant in 1966, lieutenant in 1970, captain and then deputy chief in 1977. He was chief from 1980 to 1986.

He started the Crime Check telephone reporting system.

Panther has long been active in civic activities, including United Way and Habitat for Humanity. In 1991, he and his wife spent three weeks building homes for the needy in South America.