Shooting deemed justifiable

Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker announced Friday that his office won’t pursue charges against Spokane police Sgt. Dan Torok, declaring the officer’s March fatal shooting of a man was “justifiable homicide.”

Torok shot and killed Jerome Alford on March 24 after a downtown confrontation that left the decorated police sergeant bruised and bloodied.

“It’s pretty clear-cut,” said Tucker, referring to the state’s justifiable homicide statute. “As long as the officer is acting in good faith, there’s been a felony committed and there’s risk of physical harm, he has the right to use deadly force.”

Tucker’s decision is the final word in the criminal investigation into the incident.

Through Spokane police spokespeople, Torok declined to comment on the outcome of the investigation.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office investigated the shooting and determined in May that Alford had assaulted Torok, punching him in the face, knocking him to the ground and injuring him. The sheriff’s report also stated that Torok tried using pepper spray on Alford before shooting him.

Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Jack Driscoll reviewed the Sheriff’s Office’s report and then presented his findings to Tucker earlier this week. Tucker said he reviewed Driscoll’s analysis and looked at the investigative report himself before making his recommendation.

Tucker said he paid particular attention to the statement Torok made to Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick as well as eyewitness accounts.

“All the other accounts corroborated Torok’s account,” Tucker said.

The shooting occurred after Torok saw Alford near Short Avenue and Cowley Street. Torok said he suspected Alford was involved in drug activity, so he approached him. When Alford ran, Torok chased and the two fought.

“He went at him twice,” said Tucker. “I don’t know what would make someone attack a police officer twice.”

Alford was a transient who had stayed at the House of Charity and Truth Ministries shelters.