Spokane7
36°
August 30, 2010 in News, City
Sheriff says interview with deputy won’t be “friendly”
The deputy who fatally shot a Spokane Valley pastor and business owner last week was identified Monday as Brian Hirzel, a two-year veteran of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office who also has held law enforcement positions in Kootenai County and in Southern California.
Hirzel, 41, has agreed to meet Thursday with detectives investigating the shooting death of 74-year-old Wayne Scott Creach, Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich confirmed. The investigation is being conducted by the Spokane Police Department.
Although authorities still have few details about the encounter, Knezovich described Hirzel as cooperative and noted that he has agreed to the interview with detectives even though he has the same constitutional right anyone else has to remain silent.
“This isn’t a friendly interview he is heading for. This is a criminal investigation,” Knezovich said. “After that, there will be an administrative review,” which will determine whether any disciplinary measures are warranted.
Until Hirzel, who lives in Hayden, explains what happened, investigators only know that he radioed he was on a prowl check at 11 p.m. Wednesday.
He parked his unmarked patrol car in the parking lot of Creach’s nursery and greenhouse complex, the Plant Farm at 14208 E. Fourth Ave.
Creach lived with his wife in a home next door, and family members said he had gone out to check on what he thought was a prowler in the parking lot.
Spokane police spokeswoman Jennifer DeRuwe described the fatal encounter this way: “Just after 11 p.m., there was a confrontation” between Hirzel and Creach. “Deputy Hirzel fired his duty weapon, striking Creach with a single gunshot … ultimately causing his death.”
Detectives found a gun next to Creach, who – according to an employee – has for years armed himself with a pistol before patrolling his property.
But Knezovich couldn’t say how many shots were fired and by whom, or what transpired between the two men during their meeting.
“Until we have the context of what happened, what are we going to tell you? It’s like a puzzle right now. We have a bunch of pieces, but we don’t yet know how they fit,” he said.
Hirzel worked 13 years as a law enforcement officer in Cathedral City, Calif., near Palm Springs, and three years as a deputy for Kootenai County. He was hired in 2008 by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, which has a contract to provide deputies to serve as police officers for Spokane Valley.
Knezovich said Monday he doesn’t know of any disciplinary sanctions levied against Hirzel since he’s worked for his office.
If Hirzel refused to talk, sheriff’s officials could compel him to tell them what happened under what’s called a Garrity interview. If Hirzel refused, he could lose his job, Knezovich said. But any information gleaned from a Garrity interview could not be used as a basis for criminal charges.
“To this day, there hasn’t been a deputy who has not given a statement,” Knezovich said.
Knezovich also addressed questions about whether Hirzel spoke with Creach prior to the contact or whether the Sheriff’s Office has a policy about contacting business owners prior to parking in their private lots.
“It’s never come up before,” he said. “I don’t know how many thousands of businesses we check. We drive through their parking lots and sometimes we get out of the cars to check to see if doors are locked.”
Parking in private lots is not only accepted, it’s encouraged, he said.
“We might park there to eat lunch or to write reports. It makes us highly visible, which deters crime,” Knezovich said.
Knezovich again emphasized that he expects investigators to provide complete details about what happened, including the phase of the moon – which could provide information about how much light was available at that time of night. “The investigation will include that depth of questioning,” he said.
The sheriff also expressed frustration over public cries for more information and a perception that Hirzel is getting a break because he wears a badge.
“It’s extremely frustrating,” Knezovich said. “This community has a very good law enforcement presence. It has a lot of totally dedicated officers.”
The sheriff said he believes much of the public perception is based on the intense media coverage of the incident. In that regard, he requested patience from the public.
“I want to make sure this thing goes smoothly,” he said. “So far, the deputy has been fully cooperative.”
Teens’ jobs outlook ‘tough’ 
WSU Text-to-Win Contest 
EWU Text-to-Win Contest 
Enter to win tickets to see Adam Carolla at the Knitting Factory 
Montauban on August 30 at 3:51 p.m.
An earlier report in the SR mentioned this policeman was inside an unmarked police car (or simply, “vehicle”; I cannot recall), in an area of the parking lot of the Pastor’s property, (in the nighttime hours) when the Pastor came out to see who the policeman was, what he was doing there; and the Pastor was armed with a weapon…according to the report.
I would pray that the alleged argument did not escalate to the level of either the Pastor or the policeman making a move which would have prompted either to discharge their weapon; but it is known the policemen fired his weapon at the Pastor and what the terrible result was.
I am out of order on this statement, as the investigation is ongoing, and sorry for this, but it could be that the police officer was not in uniform (maybe), and as he could have been reaching in his pocket for his identification to show the Pastor who he was, or/and that the Pastor was allegedly making verbal threats and alleged physical threats with his weapon to the policeman, something happened at that moment. Unfortunately, we do know what the end-result was.
However, no matter what station in life we hold, sometimes we have acted with haste and poor discernment. Haven’t we all? Making a decision based on immediate crisis feelings can cause a negative situation. Guess this issue will be forthcoming later on when the officials are able to release the very sensitive information.
Condolences of sympathy to the Pastor’s family and friends from me and my family.
andrewz on August 30 at 4:12 p.m.
@Montauban, the story you mention is here:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/aug/27/valley-officer-kills-pastor-at-nursery/
A lot does remain unknown, but according to what the authorities are saying, the officer was wearing a Spokane Valley Police Department uniform at the time of the shooting.
jderuwe on August 30 at 4:17 p.m.
The following is the official press release:
On August 25, 2010, at 11:00pm, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brian Hirzel, checked out on a prowl check in the area of 14100 block of East 4th Ave, Spokane Valley. Deputy Hirzel is a two year veteran of the SCSO, after making a lateral move from Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office in June, 2008. Deputy Hirzel spent 13 years as a police officer from 1991 to 2004 in Cathedral City, California and is currently assigned to work in the City of Spokane Valley.
Deputy Hirzel parked his patrol car in the parking lot of the Plant Farm, 14208 East 4th Ave. Just after 11pm, there was a confrontation between the business owner, Wayne Scott Creach and Deputy Hirzel.
Deputy Hirzel fired his duty weapon, striking Creach with a single gunshot wound, ultimately causing his death. Detectives located a handgun on the ground near Mr. Creach.
The Critical Incident Protocol was invoked, allowing investigators from both the Washington State Patrol and the Spokane Police Department to conduct the investigation.
zelda on August 30 at 4:19 p.m.
The word “confrontation” is vague in this context. It can mean anything from Mr. Creach or the police officer calling out, “Hey — who are you and what are doing here?” to a physical altercation. I’m thinking that the explanation of that particular word lies at the heart of what happened. Undoubtedly, there’s more to come.
Montauban on August 30 at 4:34 p.m.
Hmmm, I was sure I thought somewhere that the police officer was in an “unmarked” car - could be I misread this. Maybe it was a “marked” vehicle; but then why would Mr. Creach become violent with a uniformed policeman in a marked Sheriff’s vehicle watching his property as requested?
Thanks for those above comments.
Montauban on August 30 at 4:38 p.m.
ANDREW SEHLER - thanks for the link. That’s the story I read. The policeman WAS in uniform, and the vehicle WAS unmarked - a “plain wrapper” as we call it…an ordinary vehicle. Mr. Crech thought the person in the parking lot was a prowler. Man, this story is getting more interesting as we find out more and more about it.
mikewsu on August 30 at 4:45 p.m.
Press release has some typos, DeRuwe:
Deputy Hirzel parked his unmarked patrol car, on private property, in the parking lot of the Plant Farm, 14208 East 4th Ave.
lucs on August 30 at 4:51 p.m.
Lets see what kind of past work record this guy has. He’s got close to 20 years service in 3 jurisdictions
empyrius on August 30 at 5:04 p.m.
What is a “duty weapon”?
Does it have a flag and sing the star spangled banner?
Errrr, let me guess, it is a tool utilized because we all have to cherish that 2nd Amendment?
Well proletarians you are massively outgunned by the forces of the government; which of course is what an armed civilian force was meant for, to protect ourselves from an oppressive government. Unless of course you see the enemy in other “civilians”, “civilian” of course being “not on the government bankroll” . . .
Har har har har
And once you get that government check you never come back!
And the really rich people make sure a large segment of the population at least gets some sort of govenment check . . .
9/10ths of Palinites/Beckites are on the dole, and of course ALL democrats are on the dole!
How bout that “free” enterprise though! It sure looks kewl on TV; o wait, we only get “Cops” and “Law and Order” from the TV! I hear Hollywood makes some good movies about that good ole capitalism though! Yet no billionaire has funded that anti-Christian Rand movie yet; just wait; it is a coming to a theater nearest to you soon . . .
Har har har har har
iwgthft on August 30 at 6:11 p.m.
Let’s see if the official “investigation” contains the following facts: Creech was not the person who called the police and asked for extra patrols in the neighborhood; the police have no right to park their car on private property, business or residential, without the owner’s permission — which this officer didn’t bother to obtain; the officer failed to perform as a 1st responder and give medical aid or to promptly call for a paramedic; the officer was given 2 full days to rehearse and refine his story before questioning, something normal people are not given.
And for the record, citizens of Spokane City and County, aren’t you getting tired of having your cops kill innocent people?
de3 on August 30 at 6:35 p.m.
Mr. Hirzel may be one of several police officers named in at least two lawsuits in Cathederal City, CA during 2004.
Please see the Council minutes here:
www.ahrc.com/new/contents/media/uploads/459CathedralCity81104.pdf
But HUGE caution - we don’t know what these lawsuits are about, or their resolution, and they could very well mean nothing. They look like they might be labor dispute lawsuits. Don’t jump to conclusions. But it is some background that the SR team might wish to look into and I have posted here for their reference.
I am not jumping to conclusions regarding Deputy Hirzel or Pastor Scott. We don’t know what happened.
lewis8457 on August 30 at 6:47 p.m.
I find it odd no one has contacted media about being the one who did ask for increased patrols. Since they are so tight with info does it bother anyone but me they had that bit of info first thing, and the so called confrontation story first thing, since then nothing?
I think Mr.Creach saw something he shouldn’t have that night and got shot for it.
suzieeizus on August 30 at 6:55 p.m.
Jennifer DeRuwe:
Why is the Spokane Police Department leaving out the most important detail in their official press release? WHY DID OFFICER HIRZEL SHOOT AND KILL PASTOR CREACH? It’s been several days now since the shooting. The “confrontation” lasted minutes, but the story is taking thousands of times longer to work out. Why? Is it because there is something to hide? That perhaps Mr. Hirzel reacted inappropriately and used excessive force, resulting in Pastor Creach’s death?
Why doesn’t the Spokane Police Department use non-fatal weapons to subdue unruly citizens in this city? Whatever happened to NON-excessive force? How many more people in Spokane will die at the hands of your “peace officers” before you realize that your officers have a problem with VIOLENCE and AGGRESSION?
Gunshot wounds are caused by guns. I’ve never heard the phrase “duty weapon” before your press release. Is that because you made it up to manipulate the public?
The Spokane Police Department’s “PR problem” seems to get worse every week. It seems that there may be something worse going on here. It seems we have a police department that is out of control, one that is no longer protecting us, but protecting itself.
The people of Spokane want the truth. We want to feel safe in our own city. We want to feel that the money we give to the police department is being used for our protection, not our suppression. “Peace officers” shouldn’t kill mentally ill janitors, or pastors, or anyone else they are sworn to protect.
We want the truth, and we want the police department to start doing its job.
zelda on August 30 at 7:07 p.m.
Lewis — There is not a cover-up on that aspect of the incident. The woman who asked for increased patrols in the neighborhood was interviewed a couple of days ago by one of the TV stations. She lives close to the Plant Farm and if I remember correctly, she is a neighbor of the Creach family. She mentioned something about vandalism and harassment which, if memory serves, she said was directed at her house because of her son.
I can’t remember which TV news station interviewed her but the video/story is probably available on either the KXLY, KHQ or KREM website.
lewis8457 on August 30 at 7:09 p.m.
Evidence at the scene indicates both men were close and facing each other, close enough for Creach to see Hirzel’s uniform and patrol car.
there were signs and sounds of a scuffle and at some point during the confrontation Hirzel fired his sidearm, striking Creach once. Creach succumbed to his injuries from that gunshot wound. Detectives found a handgun on the ground near Creach.
Investigators are looking into the possibility that Creach, who suffered from diabetes, may have been experiencing a medical problem that left him disoriented at the time of the shooting.
Meanwhile Hirzel has told detectives he is ready to explain what happened and that series of interviews that can include a polygraph test now scheduled to begin on Thursday. Hirzel’s statements will then be compared to the physical evidence collected as the scene and during Creach’s autopsy and the case forwarded to the prosecutor’s (what a joke) office for review.
http://www.kxly.com/news/24817268/detail.html
Sounds like they wont have the story made up by Thursday and they haven’t talked to the cop yet. Sorry SR had to go somewhere else for the story. Also looks like they have peeked into Scott’s medical files and will try to blame it on his diabetes.
Now why would a man of god wrestle with a cop in uniform.
lewis8457 on August 30 at 7:11 p.m.
Thank you Zelda I have been watching all channels via internet and did not see that.
Nugget on August 30 at 7:16 p.m.
As the parent of law enforcement officers I can tell you the “duty weapon” has been used in officer lingo for many many years. No one is “making up” anything to manipulate the public.
I wish all of you would sit back and reread your postings. So much rambling. One person says probably no one called the police & the police just showed up on private property. Read again. One of the neighbors said they are the one’s that contacted the police and asked for increased patrol.
As for the officer involved in the shooting & being with 3 different agencies? Let’s see. He has been with Spokane for a couple of years, he was with Kooteney for 2 years & before that for 13 years in CA.
Who can blame him for wanting out of CA? Not me!! As for being with Kooteney & coming to Spokane? Well, the pay is better in Spokane than ID so who can blame them for wanting better pay?
The S-R should report the news instead of picking & choosing what is printed & making up “their” own stories. But then sensationalism is what sells papers… . not the truth.
Nugget on August 30 at 7:36 p.m.
Mr. Hirzel may be one of several police officers named in at least two lawsuits in Cathederal City, CA during 2004.
ANTICIPATED LITIGATION… . the article states it is anticipated and that was in 2004, six years ago.
We all know people wouldn’t sue unless what they claim really really happened!
rightsideofthestate on August 30 at 7:36 p.m.
Two people witnessed what happened that evening and one is dead. We will never know the complete truth. I feel badly for everyone involved.
lewis8457 on August 30 at 7:37 p.m.
That is Ok Nugget we will never know the truth anyway.
Geturfaxstr8 on August 30 at 7:50 p.m.
This was a tragic accident. Whatever the investigation determines. This police officer was there to help not to harm. A marked patrol car would have certainly defeated the purpose of what he was there to do. Criminals are stupid….but probably not stupid enough to prowl in the presence of an obvious patrol car.
My heart goes out to everyone involved. A tragedy for Mr. Creach’s family and the officer and his family.
Please do not use this incident as an opportunity to cheap shot the Spokane law enforcement. You can’t imagine what they face on a daily basis. Some of the ugliest things dont always make the news. They each make huge personal sacrifices to be there for our community. They do not make a fortune like some of you assume. I am sure they would rather be home holding their children instead of witnessing a suicide or car accident, or any of the horrible things they see day in and out.
Keep your unfounded toxic comments at bay if you can’t support those who protect you.
Sadbuttrue on August 30 at 8:17 p.m.
How many other ex-California cops are there who “laterally transferred” to Spokane after a brief stopover in Kootenai County? Remember, the Zehm murderer also had a similar geographic resume. I wouldn’t be surprised if this select cadre of violent goons is responsible for the majority of excessive force complaints.
Not that the local governmental entities have ever found a case of excessive force that wasn’t justified, mind you.
applewood on August 30 at 8:27 p.m.
So this good officer is on paid leave pending investigation….It would help the public’s confidence in justice if he were in jail - can you possibly imagine a citizen killing a cop and not going to jail while it’s investigated. Of course not (nor would I want to).
lewis8457 on August 30 at 8:41 p.m.
100 grand a year is a pile of money in Spokane. with all their medical paid and vacations plus who knows what else they are paid extremely well.
If they want to be home safe and sound then clean bathrooms like I do. no one forced anyone to be a cop. Life choice, danger comes with the territory.
Yes we do have many good police in Spokane but who are they? no one knows we only hear about the bad apples and boy are they bad.
The only facts we know are we have been lied to over and over. And quite frankly i think they are going to have to work real hard in the future of telling the truth and facing the consequences before too many of us start believing any of their truths again.
i dont even think they know the truth all they no is CYA.
monkeyman on August 30 at 8:46 p.m.
@ applewood on August 30 at 8:27 p.m.
“…can you possibly imagine a citizen killing a cop and not going to jail while it’s investigated.”
Good point. Just tried to think where things would be if the Mr. Creach had fired first. Definitely won’t be out free… misunderstanding or not…
bszottlinger on August 30 at 9:05 p.m.
I do not know whom the KXLY source is regarding Thursday. However, the way I read Washington State Statue the Officer cannot be forced to take a polygraph test.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=49.44.120
Some States allow IA polygraphs some do not. Washington does not.
Perhaps he has volunteered or demanded one. So let us wait and see.
Brad Szottlinger
JayNW on August 30 at 9:14 p.m.
Again, really sad that the family of the pastor can find it in their hearts to have compassion for this officer, yet people who never met the pastor are so eager to spew hate b/c they just hate the cops, regardless of the situation.
Just goes to show that hatred fuels most of the posts on the web. Big tough guys/gals who gripe and complain, but would never have the courage to ever fight for this country or put their own lives at risk for the strangers in their community. sad people you are, really.
bszottlinger on August 30 at 9:42 p.m.
It seems to me that the Sheriff has given us all the information we need to know and perhaps more than we need to know at this point.
How about waiting and doing the Monday morning quarterbacking when the results come in.
JayNW:
I hope you were not referring to me. My polygraph point is to demonstrate that if he has demanded a polygraph it shows he has some jam and must feel he was justified. If I were counseling the officer, I sure would have recommended against it. I also would have advised that he stand on his Fifth Amendment Rights. In short “Good on him”.
BTW, I did fight for this country.
Brad Szottlinger
lewis8457 on August 30 at 10:03 p.m.
Jay sounds like you are spewing your own form of hatred, before you judge me go look in the mirror. I was in the army were you?
.Ozzie is trying, I trust him. I wish we could combine the sheriff and SPD and have him run both of them; I think my attitude about the police would be to be more positive.
Polygraphs are not admissible in court; I myself would refuse to take one because it is not exact science.
They can be foiled wear a tack in your shoe for a few days then take the test pressing your foot on the tack the whole time. it throw the machine off so bad they wont be able to get a good reading.
i worked at the safety building for a few years and got to know a lot of the guys the poly guy told me that. 1st floor come through west entrance second door on left as you head straight towards records, right behind forensics.
Scoutster on August 30 at 10:18 p.m.
Two types of comments here:
1) About the event. These comments are a waste of time.
2) About how an event such as this is investigated by our civil authorities. This discussion is our duty.
Ron_the_Cop on August 30 at 10:29 p.m.
Tragic situation all the way around. Can’t we all wait until the dust settles and the facts sort themselves out? I think they will. You can’t cover up the truth for long as we are now seeing in the Zehm case.
As Brad and I have discussed before I have issues with the 48 hour policy re OIS interviews. Yes, I too am from CA and this is not how it’s done down there. As a former police union president there are ways of protecting individual officer rights while at the same time getting initial officer statements before everyone starts running for their attorneys. If the officer was acting illegally beyond the course and scope of their employment these statements may come back to haunt them in a later federal criminal civil rights investigation.
The public deserves deserves transparency early on in these officer involved shooting/death cases. Yes there will be initial confusion and perhaps misinformation given out. This is a normal event until the dust settles. As the investigation proceeds the police need to correct any early misinformation as new information becomes available. As I’ve said many times before I would have fired Asst. Chief Nicks for the game he played with Steve Tucker on the video tape in the Zehm case. This existence of this video was not disclosed until five months later.
Geturfaxstr8 on August 30 at 10:31 p.m.
For Lewis:
Ozzie will throws his own under the bus to make himself look the hero to the public. Do your homework.
JayNW your the only one out of 30 posts that has said anything that is non judgmental. Lewis can only learn.
BTW, anyone else find it creepy Lewis can map out the public safety building?
DeepFriedWhiskey on August 30 at 10:35 p.m.
Geturfaxstr8:
Thank you for posting that. You summed up my thoughts perfectly!
D Statler on August 30 at 10:46 p.m.
Once again,OZZIE’s boys spread more mud on the Sheriffs department”s image. PUT OZZIE IN CHARGE OF BOTH SPD and SCPD? Are you nuts? Time for a change to someone from the WSP.It appears that the WSP’s higher standards and rules for self monitoring and discipline are needed badly with both local forces. I wonder how the guild will twist this one? How many of my tax dollars will this one cost? Still gotta take care of OTTO’s murder. Please commissioners, call OZZIE in and let him know this kinda leadership is NOT what we want for Spokane. I am very disappointed. I didn’t see another choice on my ballot.I wrote in my name and voted for myself. THIS IS JUST WRONG! Common with the real truth OZZIE!!
Sadbuttrue on August 31 at 6:56 a.m.
“yet people who never met the pastor are so eager to spew hate b/c they just hate the cops, regardless of the situation.”
Do the local police ever stop and consider why the public hates them so much? Is it possible that the local police have worked diligently to earn that hatred? No where else in Washington or Idaho are the police just so incredibly awful.
It is obvious that drastic overhauls in training, supervision and disciplinary procedures need to be made. The public is so sick and tired of being treated like enemy combatants by a hostile and brutal military occupation force. The local police are a diseased subculture that lets unhinged violence against the public and dishonest cover ups go unpunished.
Enough is enough. Stop wailing and complaining about the hatred of the public and do something positive to change it!
eagleproducer on August 31 at 10:41 a.m.
The WSP’s “higher standard?” You must have been having a Rip Van Winkle moment when all those troopers were caught receiving promotions based on degrees obtained from diploma mills.
I believe public angst directed at the local police force is a completely natural reaction when that same public has witnessed 42 of their citizens die at hands of police since 1992. Only one police officer in Spokane’s history has died in the line of duty. It’s more dangerous to be a citizen in Spokane than a police officer and it’s supposed to the other way around.
getur: Lewis stated he worked in the public safety building at one time and it sounds like he perform custodial services. Wouldn’t that mean knowing the layout of the building was part of his job? Just trying to help, I know how you cops need it all pieced together for you.
JayNW: I too am a veteran. It’s possible to be a critical thinker and a veteran. I have family members who are in public safety including my father’s brother who was a patrol cop for forty years.
Sadbuttrue on August 31 at 10:57 a.m.
Its more dangerous to be a roofer, a commercial fisherman and a logger than it is to be a cop. Being a cop was not even in the top ten most dangerous jobs this year. It is number 12. More bank tellers were killed on 9-11 than cops.
And yet those belonging to those unsung and unnoticed jobs listed above are not allowed, like the police, to react to the dangerousness and stress of their jobs with unhinged, psychotic violence because of it. If police “logic” was universally applied to all occupations, it would be okay if:
a). A logging truck driver, noticing that the feller was aiming the fall line of the tree straight at his truck, shot and killed the feller.
b). A commercial fisherman, seeing a co-worker dangerous mis-tie a net, beats the co-worker senselessly into a coma.
b). A roofer, noticing the homeowner standing dangerously at the bottom of the ladder, drops a square of asphalt shingles on the homeowner’s head.
These examples are ridiculous, but it is the same laughable logic the police use whenever they wrongfully maim, arrest, kill the citizens that is their sworn duty to protect. They get paid the big bucks ($100,000 a year for a cop! Who would have thought!) to make good decisions that actually PROTECT us.
D Statler on August 31 at 8:38 p.m.
I did forget the diploma scandal Spoketucky! LOL , I can only tell you that even with false credentials,the standards of the WSP could be used in Spokane. The WSP tracks their officers and this keeps the bad ones from moving from one unsuspecting city to the next. They also take an oath that obviously means something to them.Fake diplomas for extra pay is one thing.Suffocating,beating and shooting innocent people is completely different. There may always be a bad apple pop up everywhere. It seems that the persons managing the orchard in the SPD, SCPD and the Prosecutors office need replaced immediately!(SO TO SPEAK) The system is flawed and I can only hope our County Commissioners step up and straighten these rogue departments out.I as a taxpayer cannot afford to pay the lawsuits these actions are about to bring on us. The city and county’s lawyers fees will eventually cost more than the local governments receive.Once again,I too will miss MR.Creach and hope like the last twenty years.I and my family can take our annual trips to the nursery.God Bless
JBlim on August 31 at 8:51 p.m.
We should find out how much all this is going to cost the taxpayers and send Sheriff Ozzie the bill.
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 5:53 p.m.
“This isn’t a friendly interview he is heading for ….. ,” Knezovich said. “And the aggressive and tough questions will begin as soon as the officer returns from vacation.”“
koh on September 04 at 12:36 p.m.
Hirzel should never have been allowed to go on vacation the day after the shooting. Why he would even want to go is beyond me. How much fun could he have knowing what was coming upon his return. He has to feel horrible, no matter what the circumstances. Knezovich’s reasons not to detail Herzel make no sense. Too much time has passed now. The victim’s family have every right to be disgusted with the way this is being handled. Will we ever know what was the “altercation?” I doubt it. The police dept will spin this their way. As they always do in Spokane.