Thomas Clouse

Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Hirzel said he ordered Pastor Wayne Scott Creach to drop his gun multiple times, struck the 74-year-old man in the leg with a police baton and fired only after the property owner began to draw the gun out of his waistband, an investigator said Tuesday in the first detailed account of the Aug. 25 incident that resulted in Creach’s death.

The interview that could explain why a deputy shot and killed a Spokane Valley pastor will come Friday morning – after the deputy returns from a weeklong vacation approved by Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich. Deputy Brian Hirzel left town the day after an Aug. 25 encounter with Wayne Scott Creach at his sprawling nursery business, the Plant Farm, 14208 E. Fourth Ave. Officials have only said that Hirzel and Creach had some sort of “confrontation” that ended when Hirzel shot Creach moments after the shirtless 74-year-old grabbed his pistol and went outside to investigate what he may have thought was a prowler.

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 reportedly was allowed to leave town for a scheduled weeklong vacation instead.

Spokane Valley pastor Wayne Scott Creach and his wife had a prearranged system for when the business owner encountered trespassers on the couple’s sprawling nursery and greenhouse complex in Spokane Valley. He’d go outside and shout if there was a problem, at which point she was to call 911, Creach’s son, Alan Creach, said in an interview Tuesday. Imogene Creach followed that script Aug. 25, calling 911 when she heard what she thought were three shots fired. Alan Creach said his mother could see other patrol cars arriving before she hung up the phone.

Hundreds gathered on a crisp Monday morning to grieve the loss of a man whose preaching and gardening left an unforgettable imprint on those who met Wayne Scott Creach. The service at Greenacres Baptist Church, which Creach founded, included only a few mentions of the questions surrounding his death late Wednesday night when he was shot by Spokane County sheriff’s Deputy Brian Hirzel, who is assigned to the Spokane Valley Police Department.

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.

The Spokane Valley Police officer who fatally shot a pastor and greenhouse owner last week was identified Monday as Deputy Brian Hirzel.

Hundreds gathered today on a crisp summer morning to grieve the loss of a man whose preaching and gardening left an unforgettable imprint on those who met Pastor Wayne Scott Creach.

A jury today re-affirmed a previous jury’s decision to sentence child killer Robert Doney to more time in prison than outlined in the standard sentencing guidelines.

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich extended condolences today to the family of slain pastor S. Wayne Creach, who was shot to death Wednesday evening by a Spokane Valley Police officer. Knezovich said he wanted to assure the community that a full and complete investigation will be conducted.