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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane police officer placed on leave pending investigation into misuse of public computer

Dan Cole was a part of a large contingent of officers who responded to the active shooter scenario involving 29-year-old Ethan A. Corporon at Monroe and Indiana. Courtesy of Spokane Sheriff's Department (COURTESY OF SPOKANE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT / COURTESY OF SPOKANE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT)

A Spokane police officer was placed on paid administrative leave earlier this month pending an internal investigation into whether the officer misused a public computer.

Dan Cole was confirmed to be the officer under investigation by police Sgt. Terry Preuninger. Cole has been a Spokane police officer for more than 20 years.

Cole was credited with busting a retail theft ring in 2012, helping rescue a dog from under the Post Street Bridge in 2007 and pulling a handcuffed burglary suspect from the Spokane River with now-Major Kevin King in 2000. He was also among six officers who shot and killed Ethan A. Corporon in 2010 after the suspect fired six shots at a home in the Emerson-Garfield neighborhood.