SPOKANE -- Washington State will keep a man who murdered a Spokane Police officer in 1983 in prison.
Lonnie Link, 51, shot Spokane Police Detective Brian Orchard during an undercover stakeout on July 18, 1983. Link was wanted for the theft of a valuable gun collection that he was attempting to ransom for $20,000. Orchard approached the car Link was in and identified himself. Link pulled out a gun and shot Orchard in the head at point-blank range.
Today's hearing in Olympia was Link's fourth request at clemmency. A judge denied that request and ordered Link back to jail to continue serving his sentence.
Current Spokane Police Deputy Chief Jim Nicks had only been on the force for one year when Orchard was murdered. He was sent to the scene that night to find Links.
"Everyone searching for him knew he wouldn't hesitate to take any of our lives," recalled Nicks.
Links still insists he didn't know Orchard was a police officer when he shot him because he wasn't wearing a uniform. Links also contests he didn't receive a fair trial.
Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich agrees with today's ruling, and believes clemency would set the wrong precendent.
"This man has never taken responsibility for his actions," said Sheriff Knezovich.
Orchard, a 15-year veteran with Spokane Police, was married with three children at the time of his death.
