Spokane County Sheriff Deputy Brian Hirzel will not face criminal charges in the shooting death of Spokane Valley Pastor Wayne Scott Creach.
In a press statement released earlier today, Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Tucker announced he will not be filing criminal charges in the death of Spokane Valley Pastor Wayne Scott Creach. Creach was shot and killed August 25, 2010 by Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Hirzel.
The Pastor’s shooting last summer fueled an ongoing local controversy about officer involved shootings and growing concerns about how such incidents are investigated and prosecuted.
“Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Jack Driscoll, Larry Steinmetz and Ed Hay have more than 70 years experience in criminal cases,” Tucker said in today’s prepared statement. “As a result of the evidence, investigation and their review, it was determined that the facts of the case do not warrant filing criminal charges against Deputy Hirzel.
In a 33-page report on the incident prepared over Driscoll’s name and released today, Driscoll concludes:
“Under the law as it relates to the use of deadly force by police officers, an officer is justified in using deadly force during an arrest if he reasonably feels that a person is committing or attempting to commit a felony. Deputy Hirzel had reasonable grounds to feel he was about to be assaulted. He had probable cause to believe Mr. Creach posed a threat of serious physical harm since Mr. Creach threatened ‘a police officer with a weapon’ or displayed ‘a weapon in a manner that could be reasonably construed as threatening.’ Deputy Hirzel was justified in his use of force.”
–CFJ
