September 1, 2010 in News, City

Sheriff confirms deputy in pastor shooting on vacation

Thomas Clouse The Spokesman-Review

Courtesy of Spokane Valley Police Department photo

Related story: Son offers insight into pastor’s fatal encounter

The deputy who fatally shot a Spokane Valley pastor last week has been unavailable for interviews with detectives probing the tragic shooting death because he was allowed to leave town for a scheduled weeklong vacation instead.

Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich made no apologies for allowing the deputy, Brian Hirzel, to take his pre-approved vacation before having to answer questions about the shooting death of 74-year-old pastor and businessman Wayne Scott Creach.

“Deputy Hirzel, that night, agreed to be interviewed,” Knezovich said today, noting that the deputy has the same right to remain silent as anyone else but is willing to waive that. “His only request was that it wait” until he return from his already approved vacation.

Had the sheriff required Hirzel to cancel his travel plans, it could have been seen as coercion, Knezovich said.

“We have to make sure this is a clean interview. We have to make sure this is a clean investigation,” he said. “If I do anything coercive in reference to this investigation, it can taint the case.”

At a press conference this afternoon, Knezovich also said that Hirzel radioed for medical assistance.

At 11:07 p.m., Hirzel radioed “shots fired, need medics,” Knezovich said. “Those were the first words out of his mouth.”

Medics were on scene within six minutes, he said.

The new details about the delay in interviewing Hirzel began emerging late Tuesday, when Creach’s family members said they’d been told by investigators that Hirzel was allowed by Knezovich to proceed with his vacation plans rather than meet with investigators as soon as possible.

The family has been increasingly critical of the amount of time that has been allowed to lapse between the shooting last Wednesday night, when Creach armed himself with a pistol and went to check on what he thought was a prowler on his property at 14208 E. 4th Ave., and the first formal interview of Hirzel, the officer who pulled the trigger.

Hirzel had pulled his unmarked patrol car into the Creach family’s nursery and greenhouse complex about 11 p.m. following a request from a neighbor earlier in the day for extra patrols because of increased vandalism and vehicle prowls in the area.

Alan Creach, the pastor’s son, said in an e-mail to The Spokesman-Review that the lead Spokane Police detective informed him about Hirzel’s vacation plans.

“According to the lead detective SPD, deputy (Hirzel) has not been” available because he left on a scheduled vacation the day after the shooting that was “cleared by Ozzie,” Creach wrote.

Knezovich said earlier this week that Hirzel has a constitutional right to not give detectives an interview about the shooting. Knezovich did not mention anything earlier this week about Hirzel’s vacation.

162 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

spokanada on September 01 at 11:40 a.m.
effing classy!
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 11:46 a.m.
Yes, let’s not let a man’s vacation plans get in the way of an investigation of the use of lethal force. But of course, we have to strictly follow the police union rules, which place vacations on a higher priority than the killing of a preacher.
Don’t you just marvel over how the police can profess, with a straight face, complete incomprehension over the public hatred and contempt that they so richly deserve?
Scoutster on September 01 at 11:47 a.m.
WTF!
Ummmm…how bad would something have to be before someone would cancel their vacation? Or your boss would make you cancel it?
This just gets more absurd every day.
de3 on September 01 at 11:49 a.m.
Wow.
When Phillip Paul, escaped at the County Fair during his outing from the State Hospital, the Sheriff was all over the news everyday.
A deputy shoots a church pastor and the Sheriff practically vanishes and allows the shooter to go away on vacation, without being questioned.
Wow.
The Sheriff seems completely tone deaf to how this looks.
PlanB on September 01 at 11:54 a.m.
According to an SVPD spokesperson, “Mr. Creach has refused all attempts at contact, and until be makes himself available and begins cooperating he will be hindering our full and complete investigation.”
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 11:54 a.m.
So much for the anguish this cop and his family supposedly feel about shooting this preacher down like a dog! How much more cold-blooded can you get?
I bet it’s warm at Disneyland right now.
Charlie on September 01 at 11:57 a.m.
If these public employees want respect, they need to be professional, a lot more professional. A man was shot and killed and the shooter went on vacation, what a deal.
lucs on September 01 at 12:03 p.m.
THIS is cold. It only gets worse.
PlanB on September 01 at 12:06 p.m.
Ozzie needs to be removed from office immediately for gross dereliction of duty.
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 12:06 p.m.
“Mr. Creach has refused all attempts at contact, and until be makes himself available and begins cooperating he will be hindering our full and complete investigation.”
Sounds like a warrant for his arrest needs to be immediately procurred. That’s the remedy here for the rest of us mere mortals, isn’t it?
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 12:08 p.m.
“Can you really try and defend these actions?”
Yes, union “rules” require this.
You must be new in town.
spokanada on September 01 at 12:08 p.m.
one family is holding a funeral and the other is enjoying the buffet line. This is absolutely unbelievable!!!
horse_feathers on September 01 at 12:08 p.m.
Holy Crap
JayNW on September 01 at 12:10 p.m.
ok, that’s some bullcrap.
Most agencies only give 24 hrs for officer involved shootings before they talk. To extend this so long is just crap.
They need some new PR people for the agencies around here. Public perception is their reality- and its not good.
lucs on September 01 at 12:11 p.m.
This might be funny if it weren’t so terribly sad.
WHAT is the sheriff thinking.
He really doesn’t give a damn–he is first and foremost a cop.
horse_feathers on September 01 at 12:13 p.m.
I’m writing in Alan Creach for Sheriff when I get my ballot.
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 12:15 p.m.
“one family is holding a funeral and the other is enjoying the buffet line.”
Yes, union work rules should provide for free buffets for stressed-out cops who just shot someone.
Bunch of Californians!
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 12:18 p.m.
Has ANYONE stopped to think about what it must be like for this deputy?? Here’s a new one….why don’t you, for ONE second, try and walk in his shoes. Have something horrible, like this, happen to you. How would you feel? Also, how would you feel knowing that you did your job, correctly, then is turned out to be a retired pastor that pulled a gun on you FIRST, and you had to shoot him, IN SELF DEFENSE, and everyone is talking CRAP about you. I might add those same people don’t have a clue about what REALLY happened. I’m sure he feels bad enough. And, did anyone ever stop to consider that even though he was on leave, as is protocol for a shooting, maybe he isn’t sitting in sunny Disneyland?? Maybe, he has been seeing a psychologist for this shooting…. So, just to sum up, WHY DONT YOU KEEP YOUR UNEDUCATED OPINIONS TO YOURSELF UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 12:22 p.m.
Oh yeah, I forgot to point out, that it sure does seem that it is always the same people that are anti-police….Wonder what your lives are like???
misjustice on September 01 at 12:26 p.m.
((“Mr. Creach has refused all attempts at contact, and until be makes himself available and begins cooperating he will be hindering our full and complete investigation.” Sounds like a warrant for his arrest needs to be immediately procurred. That’s the remedy here for the rest of us mere mortals, isn’t it?))
~~~~~~~~~
Holy crap Batman! Mr. Creach has refused all attempts at contact because he was killed in the shooting. This is how stuff gets started by unreasonable people. Get your story straight… The deputy was Brian Hirzel & he has every right to take government approved vacation. You really don’t want him on patrol right now, do you?
spokanada on September 01 at 12:27 p.m.
isanidiot, have you stopped to think what would be happening right now if it was the officer that was killed?
The vacation was booked in January and if the sheriff put him on admin leave and kept him in the area the sheriff would have had to cover the costs of the cancelled vacation.
to quote your last sentence “WHY DONT YOU KEEP YOUR UNEDUCATED OPINIONS TO YOURSELF UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT”
lucs on September 01 at 12:27 p.m.
First of all, I would like to thank *****idiot for his contribution to this rational discussion.
I was always of the opinion that Ozzie was a stand-up guy and believed him when he said this investigation would be thorough with no punches pulled. I’ve turned 180 degrees. This is a cover-up like the Zehm fiasco.
Heck, it took good old Oz almost a week to admit that the cop was on vacation–a fact he knew from the get-go.
On vacation. What next?
spokanada on September 01 at 12:29 p.m.
Gramma you make me laugh. You are an idiot as well. hahahahahahaha
lucs on September 01 at 12:31 p.m.
@gramma
Thank you, you have a keen sense of the obvious. A rare quality, I might add.
I don’t want Hirzel on patrol ever again, here or anywhere else. Nor should he be allowed to own a weapon.
lordstorm on September 01 at 12:32 p.m.
Yep the first step to the massive cover up….
misjustice on September 01 at 12:33 p.m.
Well, spokanada. It’s not funny. People are in such a hurry to write crap that they don’t even stop to see what they are writing. Just as you do on many occasions. You NEVER say anything good about the area you choose to live in. If you don’t like it? Well, I guess you can always to back to ..anada where their laws are perfect.
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 12:33 p.m.
“Has ANYONE stopped to think about what it must be like for this deputy??”
Answer: You mean which ride to go on next at Disneyland? Decisions, Decisions.
“Here’s a new one….why don’t you, for ONE second, try and walk in his shoes.”
Answer: Love to, as long as they are not those fug-ugly unfashionable touristy sandals that instantly mark one as a cop on vacation from a use of force investigation.
“Have something horrible, like this, happen to you. How would you feel?”
Answer: Probably slightly better than the family of the pastor, although the price of cotton candy has probably increased lately at Disneyland.
“Also, how would you feel knowing that you did your job, correctly, then is turned out to be a retired pastor that pulled a gun on you FIRST, and you had to shoot him, IN SELF DEFENSE, and everyone is talking CRAP about you.”
Answer: Probably pretty good, considering that he has avoided all the timelines for making a statement by going on vacation. And I hear the weather in Anaheim is gorgeous today!
“And, did anyone ever stop to consider that even though he was on leave, as is protocol for a shooting, maybe he isn’t sitting in sunny Disneyland??”
Answer: Okay, Okay. So Disneyworld it is. So sue me.
spokanada on September 01 at 12:35 p.m.
Gramma, you know the guy was joking right?
SpokaneLiberal on September 01 at 12:36 p.m.
I would vote Ozzie until this story. Now I will never vote for Ozzie in any election from here on out.
misjustice on September 01 at 12:37 p.m.
He’s not the only one that posted that.
SpokaneLiberal on September 01 at 12:39 p.m.
They were playing off each other to comment on the stupid delays being thrown up as excuses. It was clearly not real Gramma.
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 12:41 p.m.
“The deputy was Brian Hirzel & he has every right to take government approved vacation.”
No, from here on out, by universal acclaim, henceforth he shall be known by his new, more accurate name and nickname:
Brian “Disneyland” Hirzel
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 12:41 p.m.
If you could only take a step back and see how truly ignorant you are. What have you done in your life that has made you so jaded and paranoid?? One could only imagine. Oh, and again, what makes you so all-knowing that you seem to know where this deputy has been this past week?? Again, YOU DON’T KNOW So, please do us all a favor and only speak when you know what you are saying, or is it that you just dont care if you are accurate or not!! hmmm
Scoutster on September 01 at 12:45 p.m.
Feds. Now.
This is obviously too difficult for either the agency involved or the one investigating this incident to handle.
We need grown-ups.
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 12:45 p.m.
“Oh, and again, what makes you so all-knowing that you seem to know where this deputy has been this past week??”
I know where he HASN’T been and not doing what we were told he would be doing. As in, doing the mandatory 48 hour post shooting interview.
Shoot, maybe you are right. I bet the reason that nobody knows where he is and cannot reach him is just a discharged cellphone. Or maybe he just inadvertently left it back at the hotel.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 12:47 p.m.
I might add, it was the deceased that brought a gun and started the turn of events.
spokanada on September 01 at 12:47 p.m.
idiot, although we do not know where Brian “Disneyland” Hirzel vacationed we do know that it was planned in January.
So in fact I DO KNOW and that is why I am speaking.
Personally, I’m not that jaded or paranoid and I have some cop friends who are great guys and gals. I know how stressful their jobs are and I know they put up with a lot of chit.
spokanada on September 01 at 12:49 p.m.
the deceased was on his property and he has a right to carry that gun. And if the cop wasn’t on his property or had been in marked car it wouldn’t have happened.
Did you forget your own advice?
WHY DONT YOU KEEP YOUR UNEDUCATED OPINIONS TO YOURSELF UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT”
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 12:49 p.m.
How is it that you think there is a 48 hour post shooting interview??? There is NO SUCH POLICY Again, not knowing what you’re saying before you know the facts.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 12:53 p.m.
He was asked to be there Everyone knows what a cop car looks like. Grill guard, lots of anteanas, etc….. I dont know….Maybe the tan uniform should have clued him in or maybe the fact that he said “Sheriffs Dept” lol
addyh on September 01 at 12:54 p.m.
Just a reminder to keep it civil here -
Addy Hatch
Mr_Bloggy on September 01 at 12:54 p.m.
Kill a pastor get a vacation. Sign me up! I’m an atheist and I love guns, violence, and long walks on the beach.
de3 on September 01 at 12:55 p.m.
None of us know what happened that night. I can’t imagine passing judgment in the absence of nearly any information.
The problem is that, as reported in the SR on August 27th, there would be a 48 hour delay in interviewing the deputy. The Sheriff promised a thorough investigation.
But the Sheriff knew this was not true - he had approved the vacation request. He intentionally misled the public to the point of telling a lie.
The Sheriff’s actions have destroyed his credibility and smell like a cover up and a double standard for police versus the citizens.
spokanada on September 01 at 12:56 p.m.
idiot, this was in last week’s news
Under each department’s protocols – negotiated with unions – officers are not interviewed by detectives for 48 hours following the shooting, Stephens said.
Any other stupid questions or statements?
spokanada on September 01 at 12:58 p.m.
And if everyone knew what a ghost car looks like than what is the point of having them? You argue like a child and have no idea what you are talking about.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 1:03 p.m.
How can you possibly say that there will not be a thorough investigation? The Sheriff did not lie. It is not the county that is doing the investigation. It is the City. The deputy does not even HAVE to talk to investigators at all. Just because he has not been at work, and on leave, does not mean he has been sitting on a beach somewhere. The Sheriff has done nothing to destroy his credibility either. There is no double standard either. Even citizens have a constitutional right not to speak. Everyone needs to take a step back and open their eyes and quit being so judgemental before the facts come out.
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 1:07 p.m.
“There is no double standard either. Even citizens have a constitutional right not to speak.”
Um, yes there is a “double standard.” A citizen who elects to remain silent will do so from his jail cell. A cop that elects to remain silent has a slightly easier time by going on vacation.
Do you now see the double standard?
SpokaneLiberal on September 01 at 1:07 p.m.
The Sheriff was less than truthful. He said the deputy had not spoken to investigators because of the 48 hour wait per their contract. The truth was that was part true plus the real truth was Ozzie let him go on vacation.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 1:08 p.m.
Oh, and just because you read it or heard it in the news, doesn’t make it fact. They have been known to get it wrong before. The media is almost as ignorant as you. Btw, I know EXACTLY what I am talking about. Have a nice day!! you paranoid, jaded moron.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 1:11 p.m.
Just because he is on leave after a stressful encounter, using his own vacation time instead of paid leave from the county, doesn’t mean he is “on vacation” like other people go on vacation.
Pat O'Leary on September 01 at 1:11 p.m.
Yes indeed Deputy notanidiot101, we will try to refrain from any opinions while the shooter is on vacation. I’m sure he needs the r & r. Is he on paid leave now or is he using vacation time and saving paid leave for later? or the opposite?
This whole case and its handling is beyond the pale. What in the hell is the sheriff thinking? Unfortunately, Knezovich is elected and can only be fired by the voters and at this time he has no opposition. However, he’ll never get my vote again.
andjusticeforall on September 01 at 1:11 p.m.
notanidiot101 ….. Your an IDIOT
GoViks on September 01 at 1:11 p.m.
Look, up this point I have been behind the concept of “wait and see”, we don’t know what happened so don’t speculate crowd (see my earlier posts). But this is ridiculous… He was allowed to go on his VACATION? I am sure it was because the Union wold have had a fit….but SO WHAT? Deal with the Union in the paper and press and let the the investigation begin immediately, prior scheduled vacation be damned.
Notanidiot101 you are way off base, where this deputy should be is on paid administrative leave, not on a vacation. If you or I had been involved in this incident we would have been interviewed ASAP and we certainly wold not have been allowed to use the lame*** excuse “but I have a vacation planned.
Even a reasonable, authority respecting, management type (which I am all of the above) would agree that this latest does not look good.
spokanada on September 01 at 1:14 p.m.
idiot, that quote about the 48 hours came from Spokane police Maj. Scott Stephens. Are you suggesting that he doesn’t know what he is talking about? It’s sounds like you are the one that is jaded.
The cop is on vacation. It was booked in the beginning of the year.
So far you have proved that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 1:17 p.m.
My only point to this whole discussion, is to not jump to conclusions when the entire story is not out. Who knows, maybe things happened that no one even knows, that will change opinions. These are real people with real families that are affected way more than you and I. Both sides, the deputy’s and the deceased.
PlanB on September 01 at 1:19 p.m.
Breaking update from an SVPD spokesperson, “Officer Hirzel has every right, per page 19022 paragraph 47 of union rules, to stay on extended publicly funded vacation so long as Mr. Creach insists on remaining dead. Look it up, peons.”
Mr_Bloggy on September 01 at 1:31 p.m.
Management likely has reserved the right to cancel pre-authorized vacations in the union contract.
This was a judgement call by Ozzie. Not a particularly good one. Pastor Creach never gets to take a vacation with his loved ones again. Sad that cops only have one way empathy.
armedcitizen on September 01 at 1:32 p.m.
I hear a noise and look out my window and see the front of a car around the corner of my garage, on my property. There have been thefts in the area lately so I go check it out, gun drawn. I see the dark sillouette of someone, he see’s me with a gun. I see him draw his gun. I’m already in firing position so I shoot first and kill the other guy. I walk up and realize he’s a cop.
Now where am I? Answer; in jail, being subjected to endless interrogations and getting the special cop killer treatment, or so I’d imagine.
Like everyone else besides the officer involved, I do not know what went down that night. My point is it just seems to me that the shooter shouldn’t have a week or so before he has to answer for his actions, badge or no badge. That is B.S. and smacks of cover-up all the way.
DougClarkForMayor on September 01 at 1:32 p.m.
I thought that when you kill someone, the police always say “YOUR FREE TO GO, BUT DON’T LEAVE TOWN”….hmmm.
SugarShane on September 01 at 1:35 p.m.
Dispicapable, pure and simple. Lies all around. This swine needs to be done away with. Ozzie is a liar and hid the fact that Deputy Disneyland was going on vacation. To all the decent cops, sorry that this POS is giving you a bad name.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 1:38 p.m.
The deceased’s body was lying 5ft from the patrol car. Can you really tell me that at 5ft, the deceased could not tell it was a cop?? He was in full uniform (tan, not black or dark green) plus, I’m sure the deputy identified himself. If the property owner cannot see past 5 feet, then maybe he shouldn’t have the right to own a gun.
spokanada on September 01 at 1:41 p.m.
idiot, how do you know that the officer didn’t move the car?
In your previous posts you talk about not jumping to conclusions yet here you are talking crap.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 1:42 p.m.
If you’re gonna use a big word like despicable, try spelling it right
lewis8457 on September 01 at 1:44 p.m.
was he in full uniform? since they have already lied about when he will talk maybe that is a lie too.
I am more then happy to wait for the facts how many months will it be 3?
MrNatural on September 01 at 1:45 p.m.
This was bad form. I can’t imagine why he would be ALLOWED to go on a vacation; I can’t imagine why he would WANT to go on a vacation.
Promptly and properly addressing this serious tragedy in my mind outweighs anything I can think of. It strikes me as insulting if this is truly a vacation.
Again my sympathies to all involved in this tragedy and I must remark that these tragedies are all too frequent and all too familiar when there are guns at the ready.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 1:46 p.m.
If you read what the wife said, she looked out the window and saw the front of the car. Then, read what the son said, he too looked out the window and saw the front of the car. They both said the body was lying there. Where exactly would he move the car to?? It was where the family members said it was. Dude, you watch WAY too much CSI
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 1:49 p.m.
Just because he took vacation time, does not mean he was sitting on a beach having a great time. Maybe, he has been holed up in his house trying to come to terms with everything that has happened.. Maybe he too, is deeply saddened over what has happened. Maybe Maybe Maybe All you guys want is someone to pay for what has happened, and you don’t even know what happened.
GoYankees on September 01 at 1:49 p.m.
I believe everyone makes mistakes, which makes us all human. I believe in diversity and like to embrace other’s differences. However, if it were me, and I made the decision to end someone’s life, it would be important to me for my community that I serve and protect to know the details of the event rather than take a vacation, regardless of how it made me look. I guess right now we are forced to accept that we will not find out the details until the Deputy decides to disclose them, and the police department decides to share them, which is most unfortunate for the families. I am truly disappointed as everyone else, and look forward to finding out what really happened. Hopefully, we will at least get an honest recollection of the event that took place instead of a fabricated one.
GoViks on September 01 at 1:50 p.m.
Really Plan B? You add such intelligence and witty humor to this discussion….we are are in awe of your verbose vernacular & deft comedic turns….now go back to your homeroom and hurry they are about to show the Science film “Acne and you”.
spokanada on September 01 at 1:50 p.m.
maybe the officer moved the car 10 feet. The son was a mile and a half away at the time of the shooting. So you are saying that there is no way the cop could have moved the car between the time of the shooting and the time the son arrived?
I’m not saying it did happen but you are saying that it definitely didn’t happen even though you can’t prove it. And you are the one yelling at everyone not to jump to conclusions.
zelda on September 01 at 1:51 p.m.
Holy Toledo. (Not my usual expression of outrage.) So as of tomorrow, should we say “He’s tan. He’s rested. He’s ready”?
The best that can be said about the sheriff and the SPD is that they were being disingenuous about the circumstances surrounding the deputy’s lack of availability for an interview.
With all the talk of budget cuts and RIFs, I have a suggestion. The taxpayers can save big by eliminating the chief of police and the sheriff positions because it’s now clear that the union runs the entire freakin’ show.
spokanada on September 01 at 1:54 p.m.
Hirzel was on vacation
http://www.kxly.com/news/24841242/detail.html
DougClarkForMayor on September 01 at 1:56 p.m.
All I know is that if Mr. Creach had shot and killed this officer, you can bet he would be sitting in Jail right now.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 1:57 p.m.
No, I am not saying that it did not happen. I WASN’T THERE. But your story of moving the car is ridiculous. Everyone knows that you dont tamper with or move a crime scene. You’re acting as if it was all deliberate. The car is where the wife and son said it was. . So the guy gets shot, the wife is looking out window, she is frantically waiting to hear what is going on, while on phone with 911, BUT the cop has the insight to know right then, that he needs to move his patrol car over ten feet…Why would he be thinking this?? Just admit that you also were not there, and you do not know what happened.
spokanada on September 01 at 2:02 p.m.
The wife was in bed at the time of the shooting. The son was a mile and a half away. I’m just pointing out how bad of a detective you would be.
I never said that the car was moved. I made that point to highlight the flaw in your argument about the victim having poor sight.
suzieeizus on September 01 at 2:05 p.m.
By anyone’s standards, I think we can agree that the handling of this investigation and the Spokane Police Department is completely out of control. They will stop at nothing. We need professional help. The big boys. How do we get them here? What can we, as citizens, do to stop this pig parade? Where is the FBI? Where is Breean Beggs? Where is our ombudsman???
We need a show of hands. I say we let them know just how we feel about this investigation and the actions of the Spokane Police Department. Should we have a rally? Maybe 8am Thursday morning? Where will Deputy Hirzel be coming to be investigated? I say we should all be there. It’s time to turn up the heat, Spokane. This has gone on long enough!!!
GoViks on September 01 at 2:05 p.m.
spokanada - Stop it…your getting dirty and notanidiot101 is enjoying it.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 2:06 p.m.
If the wife was in bed at the time of the shooting, WHO WAS ON THE PHONE WITH 911???? She said she saw other police there before she even got off the phone with 911. So I guess you’re wrong. The wife was not in bed at the time of the shooting.
spokanada on September 01 at 2:15 p.m.
“My mom heard him leave the bedroom. He thought enough to take his gun, but not enough to get her out of bed.”
Idiot, why can’t you comprehend what you read?
Imogene Creach then heard what she later described as a loud voice. “Her best description was a shout of fear and great surprise,” Alan Creach said. “She couldn’t define exactly what was said and immediately following that she heard ‘pop, pop, pop.’ ”
You have proven your ignorance over and over and over.
lucs on September 01 at 2:20 p.m.
That’s a presumption–that he booked his vacation in Jan. 2 years service and he gets a vacation on Labor Day??? Maybe.
I don’t believe much that Oz has to say from now on. If he told me his mother had just died, I wouldn’t believe him.
Just how long is this vacation? Next he;ll have an accident and develop amnesia. Obviously, he can’t testify to what he can’t remember. He’ll have to retire on a disability. End of story. Rinse and repeat.
Diana on September 01 at 2:21 p.m.
notanidiot wrote: Maybe Maybe Maybe All you guys want is someone to pay for what has happened, and you don’t even know what happened.
And we never will. Face it. The cops answer to no one.
zelda on September 01 at 2:23 p.m.
The clearest way to make your voice heard is on the ballot. When you get to the position of sheriff, leave the circle empty. (Question for the auditor — What happens if the sheriff runs unopposed but receives zero votes?)
Clearly the union is going to allow the officer the full benefit of its negotiated process to hinder the investigation as much as possible. It’s not Hinzel per se that they’re protecting; he’s a surrogate for any Spokane law officer who uses deadly force and what kind consequences ensue. The process is to never let the process end.
It’s in the union’s interest to string this out as long as possible in hopes that some other sensational local issue arises and pushes this incident out of the public’s mind. They counting on our short attention span.
But if voters stay focused they can have an impact. Leave the sheriff’s circle empty when you fill out your ballot.
lucs on September 01 at 2:26 p.m.
I suspect the “shout of fear” was when Creach saw the deputy with his gun pointed at him.
I’ll bet a dollar to a donut the deputy gave no warning and just pulled the trigger.
I’d love to hear what his work history was like back in Cali.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 2:34 p.m.
WOW I really do feel sorry for all you people that don’t have a sensitive bone in your body. All I said was wait to get the facts before you convict this guy. Witch hunt from a bunch of know-nothing idiots, pure and simple. You better hope and pray that someday, you are not in a situation where people are ready to execute you BEFORE they even know the facts of what happened.
onenoseall on September 01 at 2:41 p.m.
well for the ones that beleive everyone is down on the police officer who fouled up and shot a business owner at his home and place of business. be real do you think you would be on vacation.he was involved in killing anotyer human being wether a hunting accident,accidently shooting. if i accidently shot someone do you think i would be able to go on vacation even after talking to the detctives.at this point it isnt about if he was right or wrong he is obstructing justice vacation or not.if i was the family i would go to the local magerstrate and have him make himself avaliable within 24 hours.he has a right not to incriminate his self which is true.then the detectives need to file charges on the facts they have.business owner gun down at place of business.those are the facts and the only facts at this time.this is only the beginning of the coverup just give them time to get all the facts so they can make there story match it.dont want to say what really happened to soon because then your stuck with that story.wait till everybody else comes forward so you say the right thing if i was the family i would be furios and would of hired a detective to work on it illegal or not before things get put in there proper places
onenoseall on September 01 at 2:43 p.m.
this isnt the union doing this.this is your sheriff
spokanada on September 01 at 2:44 p.m.
Every time you mention the facts you have them wrong. You directed your post at everyone else when you are the one who hasn’t gotten anything right. And now you are the one calling everyone idiots. Grow up!
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 2:57 p.m.
See, THATS JUST IT THERE ARE NO FACTS!!!!!! No body knows the facts! DUH
Pat O'Leary on September 01 at 2:57 p.m.
Well officer notanidiot101, Just admit it….your last name is Knezovich. There can be no other reason for your non-stop excuses for the police and sheriff.
andjusticeforall on September 01 at 3:00 p.m.
Regardless of what any of us believes or thinks may have happend, the fact is once again an officer of spokane county shot & killed an innocent person & we all know spokane police are notorious for doing this whether with a gun or taser…& to top it off this officer is now on vacation. just as someone mentioned earlier if it would have been you or me doing the shooting & killing no matter what the circumstances were we would not be on vacation right now.
westerly on September 01 at 3:02 p.m.
The word around the state is ‘SpookyHollow, Wa” not the old Spokane we used to know in the 50’s,60’s 70’s!!
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 3:02 p.m.
lol
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 3:04 p.m.
All I am saying, is wait for the facts. You dont know them
andjusticeforall on September 01 at 3:10 p.m.
well one fact i do know: spokane police are trigger happy
jpn on September 01 at 3:13 p.m.
You are all missing one very important piece—where is the City of Spokane Valley Mayor, Council and City Manager in this? The Sheriff’s office provides police services UNDER CONTRACT—so the responsibility still lies with the City’s Mayor and City Manager. Why have none of them demanded better answers? Why have none of them given out information to the public? They are hiding behind the Sheriff while it is up to them to serve their public and order the Sheriff to be forthcoming. And, it has now been a whole week, and the shooter still has not been interviewed. That contract had better be looked at long and hard. The City Council needs to demand better police service than this, and the public needs to demand it from their Council.
jerrysw on September 01 at 3:14 p.m.
Unloaded gun … sounding more like officer assisted suicide all the time. Ever see the movie Gran Torino?
spokanecommunistparty on September 01 at 3:20 p.m.
This story sure makes me want some doughnuts, keep your minds open…. I personally think nothing will come of this. If anything does or doesn’t, Spokane’s law enforcement will need a new image. Tacoma is overrun with crime while Spokane is very tame in comparison. I once saw the ghetto in Miami after dark in 2001, it looked just like Baghdad in 2004! ***Spokane is the best city in America. ***
bdr on September 01 at 3:22 p.m.
You are all missing one very important piece!
They get paid time off every time they shoot! followed by pig out in the park and then laborday.
Your life is only worth a 35 cent shell, and and ass chewing.
The cops are thinking your life is worth his paid vacation.
woopieee……..bang bang bang.
zelda on September 01 at 3:26 p.m.
We have enough facts to form an opinion.
As with almost all official pronouncements, it’s not so much what’s said, it’s what’s left out that truly matters. What we’re getting and will continue to get is classic bureaucratese (see also corporatese) — convincing in the moment, but, in hindsight, not exactly accurate.
This vacation fiasco just makes last week’s news conference all the more absurd. Jennifer DeRuwe said that what the assembled reporters had heard was “Ozzie from the heart” which I guess is marginally better than Ozzie from the gut.
cheetah62 on September 01 at 3:28 p.m.
I was just wondering how many times “on vacation” was said in this article???The media is always quick with there stories but it sounds to me they really dont know what is going on. They should skip all the he said, she said, and they said and come with the facts. But hey, I guess they are just doing there job providing the community with inaccurate information…..
PlanB on September 01 at 3:32 p.m.
@GoViks - Thanks for the compliment! I was definitely going for verbose with that four-line tirade of mine. For sure I need adult supervision, so please continue telling others what they can post by opening up a big ol’ can of vernacular on us!
zelda on September 01 at 3:38 p.m.
Rebecca — KXLY reporter Jeff Humphrey says the same thing about Hirzel’s vacation time.
http://www.kxly.com/news/24841242/detail.html
lucs on September 01 at 3:46 p.m.
@forbeer
I saw that movie and the scene with the Hmong gang was certainly reminiscent of police action.
You’re very perceptive. So, you think the pastor was suicidal.
lewis8457 on September 01 at 3:47 p.m.
I am really dissappointed in Ozzie for all the low life cops in this town i would have never thoughht Ozzie was one too. I guess i was wrong.
WE wont hear anything from the Mayor of spokane she is worthless.
If I was the Creachs i would hire the best lawyer i could find.
How can anyone sworn to protect shoot someone and then take a vacation.
He shot Scott in cold blood the cops know it and that is why they will drag this out as long as they can.
We only speculate Idiot101 if you and the cops want us to stop give us some information.
misjustice on September 01 at 3:52 p.m.
((andjusticeforall on September 01 at 1:11 p.m. said: notanidiot101 ….. Your an IDIOT))
First: It’s hard to read & support anyone on anything when YOU’RE the one that is showing idiocy. Yes, I will be the grammar police. YOU ARE changes to YOU’RE. YOUR means IT BELONGS TO YOU. You should know the meaning of YOUR words before trying to impress upon someone how intelligent YOUR conversation is.
Second: I agree with notanidiot101. None of us were there. In a majority of the posting they begin with “I believe”, “One fact I know”, and/or “Maybe, Maybe, Maybe.”
Actually it’s comical to read the comments. It’s just a tragedy that two families lives have been turned upside down.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 4:03 p.m.
That’s one of society’s problems: Everyone wants to go get an lawyer. We are our own worst enemy. Shame on you “Lewis” for your statement about all the “low-life cops in this town”. I am NOT a cop, nor Ozzy himself, but I do appreciate police and fire when I am the one in need. I do not spit in the face of a particular agency, then turn around and ask for their help. I can only expect that one day, when you are in need, that you will say “No Thanks” to those same “low-lifes” when they are trying to help you.
notanidiot101 on September 01 at 4:05 p.m.
But knowing people like you, you will probably complain that they didn’t get there FAST ENOUGH.
kennyhuston on September 01 at 4:22 p.m.
Call the feds in again.
misjustice on September 01 at 4:25 p.m.
Oh. Then there is THERE & THEIR. THEIR means belonging to a particular individual or group. THERE means something is in a particular spot.
Albert on September 01 at 4:31 p.m.
I actually donated to the Ozzie campaign - what a major mistake that was!!! NEVER AGAIN OZZIE - PERIOD.
I will be writing in Mark Sterk’s name on my ballot - serious, unless a write in candidate is announced to run this late date against the Wizard of OZ. Anybody have any suggestions?
To “authorize” a vacation reeks of “cover up” Another Otto Zehn just hit Spokane. This makes me sick from the top down.
spokanada on September 01 at 4:33 p.m.
Idiot, here is part of your first post,
” WHY DONT YOU KEEP YOUR UNEDUCATED OPINIONS TO YOURSELF UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT.”
and then you said this,
“Again, YOU DON’T KNOW So, please do us all a favor and only speak when you know what you are saying, or is it that you just dont care if you are accurate or not!!”
and here are a few of your following comments,
“How is it that you think there is a 48 hour post shooting interview??? There is NO SUCH POLICY Again, not knowing what you’re saying before you know the facts.”
There actually is a policy and you were the one who doesn’t know the facts. You then said this,
“it was the deceased that brought a gun and started the turn of events.”
The cop, in an unmarked car parked on the victim’s property. That is what started the events. If the cop wasn’t there this would have never happened.
“Just because he is on leave after a stressful encounter, using his own vacation time instead of paid leave from the county, doesn’t mean he is “on vacation” like other people go on vacation”
He is on vacation. The trip was planned in January and he is “on vacation”
“The deceased’s body was lying 5ft from the patrol car. Can you really tell me that at 5ft, the deceased could not tell it was a cop?? He was in full uniform (tan, not black or dark green) plus, I’m sure the deputy identified himself. If the property owner cannot see past 5 feet, then maybe he shouldn’t have the right to own a gun”
Now it looks like you are the one making assumptions without relying on any facts. This is something you asked others not to do. What makes you so sure the deputy identified himself?
“So the guy gets shot, the wife is looking out window, she is frantically waiting to hear what is going on, while on phone with 911,”
Again, the wife was in bed and not on the phone with 911 like you suggest. You have no facts to back up your claim.
Please quit pretending like you have any idea what you are talking about because you don’t.
andjusticeforall on September 01 at 4:34 p.m.
“gramma” YOUR an idiot also bahahahaha
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 4:54 p.m.
He suddenly goes on vacation the day after he kills a preacher, and is now completely incommunicado to his department and supervisors and in their own words, is holding up the investigation.
The hoary legal doctrine of “Flight” would apply with a vengeance to us mere mortals under these facts. “Flight,” i.e. leaving the area and becoming incommunicado like the Disneyland Deputy has, under the law is evidence of a guilty conscience and the jury would be so instructed. It is also an ironclad reason to set bail sky high or deny bail altogether.
Yet here, a cop does exactly the same thing and a mindless chorus of holster-sniffers automatically rises to the defense. What a quaint exception to the doctrine of flight hath the local holster sniffers carved out!
Scoutster on September 01 at 5:04 p.m.
How can a community this size have such inept public information professionals?
What, did you think we wouldn’t find out about the vacation?
Coffee on September 01 at 5:14 p.m.
I see Ozzie is going to explain why he let the officer go on vacation on ch 4 news tonight, at least that is what they said. I personally think that the powers that be have really screwed up by the numbers over this.
davidw on September 01 at 5:17 p.m.
At least two local TV stations say they will be broadcasting the sheriff’s news conference live. It’s scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m.
David Wasson
Deputy City Editor
Spokane_Citizen on September 01 at 5:21 p.m.
This is quite an incredible development. If a prominent citizen can get killed by a police officer, and the investigation delayed because the officer wanted to go on a vacation, think how little timely investigatory effort would be expended for a less notable victim? It sounds to me like he’s already decided to keep his mouth shut, and the real issue is now damage control (which will only get worse with this stonewalling). Whatever credibility the investigation might have had is now completely lost.
I, for one, won’t forget this glaring lack of accountability on the part of the sheriff’s office (and that of the SPD), when it comes time for his re-election bid. Frankly, it’s also quite apparent that the idea of police officers, even from different jurisdictions, investigating this sort of thing in an equitable manner is ridiculous.
And for those fringe elements that think that county sheriffs’ should be the ultimate law of the land within each of their county kingdom’s, this is a good example of why that approach would be exceedingly stupid. We should be a nation of laws, not of men.
zelda on September 01 at 5:23 p.m.
“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.” (S-R, Aug. 30)
Ozzie’s probably going to tell us that he’s still looking into possible werewolf involvement.
The big question is how much light shines in the corners of local law enforcement including the prosecutor’s office.
jddavis on September 01 at 5:29 p.m.
notanidiot101—”I might add, it was the deceased that brought a gun and started the turn of events”
You can’t be serious to imply Mr. Creech was at fault by possessing a firearm on his property. As you said, no one knows the events of the incident except the deputy.
I too would approach a vehicle on my property carrying a firearm, particulary at night. I would like to know why the deputy was parked on private property if he wasn’t invited there by the property owner. I am certain the deputy is feeling awful about what happened, however, going on vacation is really bad form. Surely he or the dept could pony up a couple hundred bucks to re-book the airline tickets.
Spokane_Citizen on September 01 at 5:31 p.m.
Apparently the deputy had a scheduled vacation with non-refundable tickets, and it was decided that the County’s financial exposure to having to pay for those tickets if he wasn’t allowed to use them totally outweighed considerations involving the investigation of said deputy involvement in the mysterious shooting of a citizen. That’s the most incredibly lame excuse I’ve ever heard. If this wasn’t such an abject tragedy, you’d have to bust out laughing after hearing such a lame story.
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 5:49 p.m.
This gets more bizarre and twisted as it goes along. First he would be interviewed in 48 hours. Then 72 hours. Oops! We forgot, he went on vacation. Oops! We forgot to add, we shouldn’t have let him go on vacation but the County cannot afford the financial exposure to reimburse Deputy Disneyland for the $199 Southwest Airlines round trip specials to Anaheim.
misjustice on September 01 at 5:51 p.m.
“Vacation
All I ever wanted
Vacation
Had to get away
Vacation
Meant to be spent alone”
by The Go-Gos
Ozzie knew that Officer Disneyland was not going to be keeping that often touted appointment with investigators, he knew it and yet he lied repeatedly about it. I didn’t vote for Ozzie in the primary election, and I damn sure won’t vote for him in the general election. The only vote that Ozzie gets from me is a “vote of no confidence.”
Cheezwhiz on September 01 at 6:05 p.m.
The facts are that the cop was not called to the scene by Mr. Creach. He had a prowler call from 7 hours earlier by a neighbor. 7 hours earlier!!! Hirzel was trespassing and Mr. Creach would be alive if he wasn’t. Police can’t be on your property unless they are in hot pursuit, have a warrant, believe a crime is being committed, or have permission from the tenant or landowner. Another fact is that Mr. Creach didn’t have a round in the chamber. Obviously he wasn’t intending to assault the officer. Another fact is that Mr. Creach was 74 years old, was in his slippers and didn’t have a shirt on. Hirzel didn’t think he was a gang banger. How many deaths will occur before a cop is charged and convicted of a crime? Why don’t they have to follow the same laws? Anyone else would be in jail, if they made it that far. Care to tell us about the bear stickers we see on cars? Just what are they for? (Acting innocent and stupid) Officer NotAnIdiot?
GaryP on September 01 at 6:06 p.m.
Armed citizen: you check out a suspicious person “gun drawn”. That is the problem with all this. YOU CANT DO THAT. You can not point a gun at someone until they are a threat. Your gun needs to be in your waistband/holster until the person gives you reason to believe your life is in danger like coming at you with a knife or drawing a gun. I just had a car at night on my business lot. I went to investigate with my gun IN MY WAISTBAND. It was two teens drinking beer. I can’t screw my gun in their ear for that. According to family, Mr. Creach always investigated with a gun which is wise. But you can’t point first and ask questions later. My military training is similar to what police get. They will react everytime the same way when a gun is pointed at them. I wasn’t there but assume based on him found 5 ft from the dep’s car with a handgun next to him(not in waistband/holster) that he pointed first before he knew who it was or what threat they were. The deputies training is instinctive like military and the rest is history. A good man made a mistake and it hurt his family and community for his loss not to mention the deputy feeling bad over having to shoot someone who is a good person
lewis8457 on September 01 at 6:10 p.m.
idiot101 i have no other assumption then to assume many of our cops are low-lifes. They use their authority to kill.
how many cops have been drunk while driving and got caught 4, how many spent a night in jail 0, how many are suing the city because their job made them drunks 2, How many have killed a man in cold blood since 1992, 48.
Low lifes ya I got that right.
misjustice on September 01 at 6:20 p.m.
GaryP, please stop it with the personal attacks. There is nothing wrong with being a janitor, it is a difficult, unappreciated job. If you want to attack a person’s statement or argument, have at it; but leave a person’s profession out of it, please.
addyh on September 01 at 6:21 p.m.
I deleted the last two comments from GaryP.
Addy Hatch
lucs on September 01 at 6:23 p.m.
How big a story can the cop have?
He was sitting in his car and the pastor walked up to the car. All that needed to be done was identify himself as a cop. I can’t believe the pastor would point an unloaded gun at a cop. Also, he must’ve had his pistol unholstered.
The only questions that need to be asked are: did you identify yourself, and why did you shoot the man.
Another thing, who else would be walking up to the car, certainly not a burglar or vandal. A reasonable guess would be the property owner.
This will be a whitewash job.
Cheezwhiz on September 01 at 6:27 p.m.
Well, Gary P, an educated guess would be that Mr. Creach didn’t point his pistol at the cop, knowing that there wasn’t a round in the chamber. Just a guess, of course. The cop was not called to that location by Mr. Creach, so unless a crime was being committed, he was trespassing. There obviously wasn’t. He trespassed and then murdered Mr. Creach. Another educated guess is that the cop never identified himself. Mr. Creach would have laid down his weapon, since he had no reason not to. As far as facts go, think the deputy will give the truth? Think the Sheriff will allow him to? (They don’t want a lawsuit) Think he has had enough time to come up with a good story? Those are freedoms that aren’t allowed by the public. They are questioned asap.
zelda on September 01 at 6:29 p.m.
I watched the news conference that started around 5 p.m. Ozzie said he couldn’t risk the appearance of coercion against the officer. Apparently the denial of a previously scheduled vacation would be a form of coercion. I take that to mean that any dealings in this investigation have to be voluntary and agreed to or the investigation will be “tainted,” according to Ozzie. So by allowing the officer to take vacation we can be guaranteed he’ll tell the truth, right?
Seems to me that the main thing happening right now is serving the interests of the union. The sheriff’s priorities are upside down and backward. What he does contradicts what he says.
GaryP on September 01 at 6:31 p.m.
Misjustice: have no problem with janitorial profession, only Lewis personally because he made broad, general, personal attacks. Should not have gone down to his level. SR censored it anyway. If only they checked the accuracy of their own paper with the same diligence they review these posts.
GaryP on September 01 at 6:38 p.m.
Cheeswiz: If there wasn’t a round in the chamber then why did he bring the gun to begin with? Because he is 74 years old and scared about who is on his property. Knowing now the gun is empty makes it a certainty he pointed the gun. That would be the only way to have it be of use is if you displayed it giving the impression it was loaded. I have no doubt that if the deputy knew in an instant it was the property owner and the gun was empty, he would not have shot. How do you know that in the split second you have to make that decision? Go to a shooting range that has similator training for military/ police and you will start to understand….
Cheezwhiz on September 01 at 6:46 p.m.
Gary, it was a 74 year old man in his sleeping gear. I’m pretty sure I’d know he wasn’t a burglar, gang banger, murderer, etc. I’d think it’s probably someone protecting his property. That is what cops are paid to do. Decide who is a threat and who isn’t. Pretty simple. Old man in slippers/ good. Young guy with bling/ bad. Tell me about the stickers. Why are cops their friends, and their family above the law?
Geturfaxstr8 on September 01 at 6:55 p.m.
Does it really matter that Mr. Creach was a pastor??? I am sure he wasn’t carrying his weapon as a fashion statement. Even preachers can lose their cool.
While most of you are assuming deputy Hirzel has forgotten this incident and is sunning himself somewhere you only wish you could go…. assume he has a family and children who shouldn’t be punished just because YOU don’t get your answers in 48 hours.
Ozzie is a bad guy for a lot of reasons…..however, as much as it pains me to say, this isn’t one of those reasons.
The Oz will more than likely crucify this officer regardless of what happened just to please this communities hunger for revenge. You are his boss….if the public isn’t happy he is history. Why do you think HE has dug up so much garbage on his own deputies? Pretty much everything he has trashed his staff about either didn’t happen like he told the media… Or happened a long time ago. He only outed these supposed events after Sterk dropped out of the race. Regardless, he will publicy stone this deputy if it will gain a vote or another tic mark.
Moral of the story: If you play with guns, know who you are pointing it at….even if your a pastor. It’s unlikely that cop will wait to take the first hit. And if you’re a deputy who unfortunately had to use his weapon as he has been trained to do…..use every stinking bit of vacation you have before your “unfriendly investigation” with the Ozzie posse. You deserve every second of it.
bethbear on September 01 at 7:21 p.m.
I have a couple of questions:
Is it possible to get rid of the police union?
Is it possible to bring down some sort of state of state or federal investigation, not on a particular case, but on the whole state of law enforcement in the city and county? I’ve been trying to keep an open mind the last few years, but it’s getting creepy.
Diana on September 01 at 7:30 p.m.
So does this mean if I shoot someone, I can go on my vacation, too?
misjustice on September 01 at 7:49 p.m.
You’d likely take a little trip;right downtown to the Iron Bar Hotel!
lewis8457 on September 01 at 7:53 p.m.
Reread my last post Gary I didn’t say all cops. I did say all cops on the post before that and idiot101 was sure to smack me for it. And that was wrong I admit.
I only despise the drunks, liars and killers the rest of you guys I am just scared to death of. Is that OK with you? Even though I am a law abiding citizen, and that sure didn’t help Otto or Scott now did it?
I know a lot of janitors down at the safety building so if you all of a sudden have a 3rd degree burn on your bum? That is from your friendly janitor, ME.
Ha, ha don’t shoot don’t shoot I was only kidding………..maybe?
lewis8457 on September 01 at 8:01 p.m.
no Diana you get to go to jail where the cops will taunt you for killing someone and then when they get off work, they will go out get drunk and shoot some poor guy in the head and leave him for dead. But that is OK, because their cops and we have the same rights as they do. yeh sure and I am the king of funk.
Don’t shoot me Mr.policeman i got my funk on tonight, don’t shoot me Mr. policeman cause i want to see my mum dont shoot me Mr. policeman cause i don’t want to……blam, blam, blam…..die
Thayne on September 01 at 8:26 p.m.
Not an expert, just throwing this out here. Would the deputy have been able to quickly flip a switch to activate the light bars behind the grill? If this had been done I would think Pastor Creach would have lowered or dropped his gun (if he was in fact holding it). I find it hard to believe the officer identified himself in a manner Pastor Creach understood. I’ve seen the police shows where they scream “Police, search warrant.” at the same instant they’re busting down the door. “Stop or I’ll shoot” as your pulling the trigger (possible 3 times) is not identifying yourself.
Geturfaxstr8 on September 01 at 8:41 p.m.
Two guns were there. Shoot or be shot.
Sadbuttrue on September 01 at 8:50 p.m.
“Two guns were there. Shoot or be shot.”
And now we have yet one more worthless, evading, lying tax-sucking killer cop and a good man that died for no reason.
I don’t think I like your motto.
terrymr on September 01 at 8:54 p.m.
This just keeps getting worse. The average Joe would get hauled in and interrogated, isn’t that coercion ? Sure you can remain silent while cops stand there and threaten you door not talking.
Even if the guy did niching wrong the dept seems to be going out of its way to make this look bad.
skierdc1 on September 01 at 9:07 p.m.
Every day that goes by this gets worse. Are you frickin’ kidding me?!?
bripple37 on September 01 at 9:10 p.m.
Sheriff Ozzie and Chief Anne, you should both be utterly ashamed of how you (mis)manage internal issues. We were utterly lied to and mislead about how and why a mentally retarded janitor could be beaten and suffocated for no reason.
Now this, an elderly man is gunned down on his own property by an over-zealous, trigger happy, county gunslinger The community is outraged, and you send Wyatt Earp on vacation?? GET A FRIGGIN’ CLUE, BOTH OF YOU!!
Off-duty police officers in this area arguably commit more crime (per capita) than the criminals they are supposed to be defending us from. Drunk driving, community shoot-outs, evidence destruction, and murder….to name a few.
I don’t call the police for anything, and certainly not prowlers. I can only manage one gun-toting nutjob on my property at a time. I’m glad it wasn’t my teenage son reaching for his wallet in a traffic stop!
Geturfaxstr8 on September 01 at 9:13 p.m.
A security was also recently shot and killed while on duty. If he even had a gun…it was a BB gun. He was shot 3 times with entry wounds that all have different trigectory. That “average Joe” shooter never made it to the pokey for slaying his victim. Get off your “everyone else would go to jail” gig.
Sad: couldn’t describe you any better than sad!
misjustice on September 01 at 9:18 p.m.
@ bripple; they SHOULD be ashamed but aren’t.
Annie Get Yer Gun is busy dusting off her resume for her next job search and Ozzie is out trying to gin up support for the general election. So much to do, so little time!
misjustice on September 01 at 9:23 p.m.
The shooter in the security guard’s death was IMMEDIATELY interviewed by police and is fully co-operating in the ongoing investigation. Which is more than can be said about the Disneyland Cop!
Geturfaxstr8 on September 01 at 9:36 p.m.
“Disneyland cop” is cooperating. Just not on your timeline.
bripple37 on September 01 at 9:42 p.m.
misjustice…
You’re right. The good Chief is at least smart enough to be looking for a different job. To be associated with this corrupt bunch of “above-the-law” good ol boys could be career damaging if she stays too long. Ozzie is just plain “institutionalized” like the gangsters he leads. Wake-up Spokane. Your so-called area law enforcement agencies couldn’t be more dishonorable….
misjustice on September 01 at 9:43 p.m.
If the number of posts on this thread is any indication of the outrage felt by the community over the Disneyland Cop’s kid glove treatment it is not just my timeline that isn’t being met…
And the cops wonder why we don’t trust them?
carolynl on September 01 at 10:22 p.m.
Hi folks:
We’ll be shutting down this thread tonight. We don’t want it to get out of hand overnight.
Thanks.
nitro71 on September 01 at 10:24 p.m.
Interview him? WTF is that about? Cop shoots a person. There should be an INVESTIGATION immediately. Spokane has a bunch of idiots running the police and sherrifs dept. If you or I shot someone you can bet we’d be “interviewed” on the spot. I say we cut thier budget and number of officers.
Cheezwhiz on September 01 at 10:26 p.m.
It is everyone’s right to carry a gun, unless they are a convicted felon or have a domestic violence conviction. It is even your right to point a gun at anyone you perceive as a threat. Even a cop, until AFTER he is identified as a cop. The cop has no right to shoot anyone, unless his life is threatened and till he has identified himself as a cop. A reasonable amount of time should be given before the cop can shoot. If this cop is not charged with a crime, it will set a very bad precedent….. People will fear for their lives in any situation. With anyone who is trespassing. They will shoot first and figure out who it is and what they were doing after that person is dead. I will fear all cops in all situations. Of course, that’s what they want.
ChefGus/ John Olsen on September 02 at 8:33 a.m.
Interesting to me that there are all of a sudden multiple “concerned citizens” on these strings in the Review…. wondering where you all were when a few folks were working very hard to even accomplish the seemingly simple task of getting a Police Ombudsman… all of the issues you raise were raised back then several years ago now… but only by us “liberal” types … PJALS Veterans for Peace ect…. and now that there is a death of a Baptist, Business Man in the Valley who was exercising his right to brandish a weapon.. (likely without any training… because if he was trained and current he would have had a round in the chamber of his .45 cal sidearm.)
All of the training I’ve had is simple…. not easy but simple… and that is if you take your weapon out of the holster it means you ARE going to kill someone…. basic training 101..
I am a concealed carry… and if you waved a .45 caliber sidearm in my direction… that would be my choice, and my only choice…
There is NO time to “talk” or “discover” in those situations… a split second ( the one it takes to Jack a Round into the firing chamber ) means You are the dead one.
I am waiting for the full story….. and mostly wondering why Sheriff Ozzie is the point person here instead of Chief Kirkpatrick and her SPD internal review folks. It is their job to be on point here…. not the Sheriff’s. John Olsen
bszottlinger on September 02 at 8:38 a.m.
ChefGus:
You aren’t being disingenuous are you? Even though she should you don’t really expect to hear much from Chief Kirkpatrick do you?
I have no idea what the investigative interview strategy is in this case. But does anyone happen to know what triggers Miranda Warnings?
Brad
polly on September 02 at 9:47 a.m.
It amazes me how many of you were there that night (because you obviously all have firsthand knowledge of the events)…you’d think that ONE of you could have told the cop that Creach belonged there, or told Creach that the cop wasn’t a prowler.
What if the tables were turned and the pastor had shot first and the cop was dead? Would you care then?
kdreger on September 02 at 7:35 p.m.
Wow, and I thought California was Liberal!
Has anybody hear heard of “innocent until proven Guilty”
Or is a person Guilty in the eye of public opinion?
Everyone take a deep breath and let the legal system work it out and don’t get your undies (longjohns) in a bunch…
Respectfully,
Cheezwhiz on September 02 at 11:29 p.m.
Any conservative would know that the facts are never going to be known. The legal system has proven time and time again that the police have diplomatic immunity. How well did the legal system work for Shonto Pete, Otto Zehm, (One cop is charged out of 8 or 9 that killed him and he is charged with making a false statement and violating Otto’s civil rights, not murder, which it was.) Eagle Michael, the guy who died from being kicked in the head while cuffed, or the 38 others who didn’t need to die in the recent past? Only two cops were charged with anything. One was drunken Jay Olson, who chased an unarmed man for miles and shot him in the head when he was running for his life. He was acquitted of all charges. Seriously, how can that be? Jury get paid off? I am pretty far from being Liberal, but our cops are out of control. You can sit and wait for the next set of lies, but I’ll voice my disgust.
Bob_Knows on September 03 at 7:03 a.m.
This was not an accident. This was a deliberate, planned, lay in wait, murder. Sheriff Killovitch sent his hired gun thug to kill Pastor Creach. What we don’t know is why. What did Pastor Creach find out that the County machine was willing to kill to cover up? How deep does the rabbit hole go?
kennyhuston on September 03 at 11:47 a.m.
The shooter of the security guard jumped a fence and administered CPR until paramedics arrived. Did the officer ever even attempt first aid on Mr. Creach? Actually, I’m amazed that the shooter of the security guard ISN’T in jail! That whole situation needs some more investigating into it.
misjustice on September 04 at 1:20 p.m.
There was a brief posting about Pastor Creach being a member of the Aryan Nations but the SR took it down immediately. But anything that is posted that is negative about the officer is left up. Why?
There should be balanced reporting, even if we don’t like or believe all that is posted. It should be up to the public to filter out the facts.