In brief: TV show will feature deputy who killed self

The case of a retired Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who killed himself in Spokane after being accused of a 14-year-old murder will be featured on a cable TV show next weekend.

A TV news crew found the body of Ted Eugene Kirby, 54, in a pasture near his home at East 16th Avenue and South Carnahan Road in Spokane in July 1999. He was last seen alive on June 30, 1999, shortly after Los Angeles detectives investigating a 14-year-old murder came to Spokane to collect a saliva sample from him.

California investigators believe Kirby fatally shot a fellow officer, Sgt. George Arthur, 37, in June 1985. Kirby was working as a deputy at the time. The two men were reportedly romantically involved with the same woman at the time of the shooting.

Kirby worked for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department until 1996, when he retired to south Spokane with his wife. He had been working part time as a baggage handler at Spokane International Airport when Los Angeles detectives approached him.

Sunday at 10 p.m. on the Discovery Channel, Investigation Discovery will air “Blood on the Badge,” an hourlong episode of “Unusual Suspects” that explores the Kirby case and includes interviews with the victim’s co-workers and fellow officers with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Bomb threat empties high school in CdA

Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene was declared all clear by police around 3 p.m. Monday following a bomb threat received by school officials that morning.

The school’s 1,450 students were evacuated around 1 p.m. then released from school shortly after, said Laura Rumpler, spokeswoman for the Coeur d’Alene School District.

School administrators received a note around 11:38 a.m. saying a bomb was going to go off, Rumpler said.

Students who walked to school were allowed to leave shortly before the standard 2:30 p.m. release time. Those who rode the bus were taken first to the North Idaho fairgrounds before boarding buses for home. Students who drove had to have their cars cleared by police before leaving, Rumpler said.

District officials sent two notices to parents via email or through postings on the district’s website.

Alison Boggs