Prosecutor: Shooting By Officer Was Justified

A Spokane policeman acted in self-defense when he fatally shot a man during a domestic violence call, Spokane County Prosecutor Jim Sweetser ruled Wednesday.

An investigation indicates officer Rick Dabrow was defending himself and the lives of others when he shot and killed Joseph R. Lawson, 41, at Lawson’s north Spokane home April 15, Sweetser concluded.

Lawson’s wife called police to report her husband had assaulted her. While Dabrow was talking to the woman and her 8-year-old child, Lawson returned with a 14-inch knife and advanced toward the officer, witnesses said.

Dabrow repeatedly ordered Lawson to drop the knife as the man advanced into the house toward the officer, Sweetser said. Dabrow fired twice and Lawson fell, mortally wounded.

When a second officer entered and started to handcuff Lawson, the wounded man swung his hand and arm at the officer. When the cuffing was completed, medics arrived and Lawson was then pronounced dead.

Lawson’s wife and at least two other witnesses corroborated the sequence of events, Sweetser said.

It was the first shooting in Dabrow’s 13-1/2-year lawenforcement career.

Dabrow and another officer at the scene had been on administrative leave with pay during the investigation. Sweetser’s decision officially closes the incident.

, DataTimes