Two officers who shot domestic violence suspect have worked collective 41 years at SPD
The Spokane Police Department has named the officers involved in the police shooting that killed Erik “Ace” Mahoney.
Cpl. Shane Oien and Sgt. Zachary Dahle fired their weapons, the department said in a news release.
Oien joined the SPD in 1996 and Dahle in 2003, giving the two a collective 41 years of experience at the department, according to the Tuesday news release.
Oien is assigned to the Patrol Anti-Crime Team and the training Cadre for SWAT, the release said.
Prior to joining the Spokane Police Department, Dahle worked for the Seattle Police Department from 2000 to 2003. Dahle was promoted to corporal in 2013 and detective in 2016, and the rank of sergeant in 2016, according to the release.
Thursday, police found Mahoney at the Bell Motel after he was suspected of pistol-whipping his ex and firing a weapon at her residence in two separate incidents last week. Stemming from those, police had probable cause to arrest Mahoney on several felony domestic violence charges.
Mahoney was armed with a gun, according to an SPD news release. Witnesses said police yelled to Mahoney to “Get down!” before firing several shots. Residents of the motel said Mahoney had a gun, but they were not witnesses to him pointing it at police.
Mahoney died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Spokane County Medical Examiner.
Both officers have won several awards in the department, the release said.
Dahle has received the Lifesaving Award and was nominated for the National Veterans of Foreign Wars Award.
Oien has received the State Medal of Honor for “exceptionally meritorious conduct,” a Medal of Valor and a Lifesaving Medal, the release said.