SPOKANE, Wash.-- The deputy involved in the officer-involved shooting on July 25 at the end of Hills Ct.near Fiske Street was identified as Deputy Samuel Turner.
Turner was hired by the Spokane County Sheriff's Office as a Lateral Deputy on October 1, 2015. He started his career as an Idaho State Police Trooper in August 2012.
The shooting happened after Spokane Valley deputies received a call about a female who appeared to have been badly beaten and injured by an adult male.
Deputies began looking for the vehicle driven by the suspect. A chase ensued between Deputy Turner and the suspect after the suspect refused to pull over near the area of Hartson Avenue and Thor Street, officials said.
As the driver approached the end of Hills Court, he turned the vehicle around and rammed into the deputy's marked patrol car, disabling it, officials said.
Officials said Deputy Turner stepped out of the vehicle, drew his weapon and gave commands. The driver accelerated towards Turner, who then fired his weapon at the driver. Despite life-saving efforts, the male suspect was pronounced dead the scene.
Deputy Turner is assigned to the night shift of the Spokane Valley Precinct Patrol Division.
He received a life-saving award in 2017 after he revived a two-year-old child who accidently fell into a decorative pond and stopped breathing.
Turner was also placed on paid administrative leave in September 2017. He was under investigation for a potential assault or other misconduct during an arrest. Turner was then exonerated of a department policy violation. He was not reprimanded for his actions.
Deputy Turner holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, with minors in Sociology and Government, from Eastern Washington University where he graduated with honors.
Officials are still investigating the incident.