Longview police officers cleared in fatal shooting

LONGVIEW, Wash. – Two western Washington state police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of a Longview man.

The Daily News reported in a story Saturday that Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jurvakainen cleared Longview police officers Tim Deisher and Levi Weatherl.

Jurvakainen said that the officers acted lawfully and justifiably in their use of deadly force.

The two police officers on Sept. 3 responded to a report of a domestic violence assault.

Authorities said 48-year-old Henry Rakoz Jr. pointed a gun at Deisher and Deisher opened fire.

Police said Rakoz then ran toward Weatherl, in training at the time, and he opened fire. Rakoz was hit by six bullets in all.

Authorities said Rakoz had a pump-action pellet gun that looked similar to an actual firearm.