SPOKANE, Wash. -- The deputy who shot and killed a Spokane Valley pastor last week was interviewed by detectives Friday, nine days after the shooting.
Deputy Brian Hirzel sat down with Spokane Police investigators around noon today. The two-hour interview was recorded, and detectives say Hirzel was fully cooperative to their questioning. It is expected to be the first in a string of questioning into the death of Pastor Scott Creach.
Creach was killed the night of August 25 outside his business, The Plant Farm, in Spokane Valley. Family members say he heard a noise, and grabbed his gun thinking it may be a burglar. Deputy Hirzel was patrolling the area. Creach and Hirzel engaged in a confrontation in the parking lot and Hirzel shot Creach in the chest.
Spokane Police report that according to Hirzel, he was conducting a prowl check after a request from a citizen that day for increased police presence on that block.
Police say Hirzel parked in The Plant Farm parking lot because of its convenient and safe location, and it was close to the original call for a prowl check.
Hirzel told detectives he saw Creach approach his vehicle from 30 feet away, and saw that Creach had a gun.
Spokane Police report, "Ultimately there was a close encounter between the officer and Mr. Creach near the officer's car. Officer Hirzel stated there was a verbal exchange between himself and Mr. Creach prior to the single gunshot being fired. Officer Hirzel's statement and the evidence confirms only one shot was fired."
According to police, investigators will meet on September 7 to determine what information can be released to the public without compromising the investigation.
Hirzel has been on vacation for the last week. He agreed the night of the shooting to conduct a full interview at any time, but ultimately waited until after a previously scheduled vacation.
There's no legal reason for the delay. However the President of the Deputy Sheriff's association says research shows it's better to wait 72 hours, because an officer's memory improves.
"This officer has always been willing to talk and give an interview," says Detective Dave Skogen, President of the Deputy Sheriff's Association. "After some time and sleep cycle that focus expands and they can remember more things on the periphery of where they were focused."
Skogen says he gave Deputy Hirzel a piece of advice -- not to read any news or blogs about the investigation because it could affect his memory of what happened.
