Police Department

SPD releases names of officers involved in 03-26 officer involved shooting

Officers have nearly 60 years of combined experience

Monique Cotton, Public Information & Communication Director, 509.363.8285

Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 4:38 p.m.

The Spokane Police Department is releasing the names of the officers involved in the shooting of multiple Armed Robbery suspect, Stephen Corkery on the night of March 26, 2014.

The five involved officers have nearly 60 years of combined experience with the Spokane Police Department and currently work in SPD's Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU), SWAT, K-9, and the Patrol Anti-Crime Team (PACT).

Sgt. John Roys: 21-year SPD veteran, Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) supervisor and former Rangemaster. Sgt. Roys worked for the Moscow Police Department before being hired by SPD.

• Commendations in 2010, 2009, 2004, 1998, 1996, and 1995 for: his quick response to a vehicle theft and subsequent vehicle recovery; his professional and positive attitude while training recruits as a Field Training Officer; his professional response to car collision investigation; his assistance putting on the media academy and instructing the media regarding firearms; his patience during the investigation of an arson incident and the arrest of an arson suspect; his respectful and dignified response addressing citizen concerns in a Spokane neighborhood ; his expertise in firearms instruction during the Patrol Dog Basic Handlers Course; his assistance in setting up and running the FireArms Training System (FATS) and live-fire exercises at K-9 training; volunteering his time to help with coverage during a traffic training; and his dedication and enthusiasm regarding an emphasis patrol on E. Sprague
• Commendation in 2007 from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Firearms Training Manager for his exemplary instruction of various firearms training courses.
• Commendation in 2007 from an Idaho State Police Lieutenant for his help and professionalism during training exercises

Sgt. Kevin Keller: 14-year SPD veteran and member of SWAT and the Chemical Agent Response Team (CART). Sgt. Keller worked for the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office before being hired by SPD.

• Employee of the 1st Quarter 2012
• Employee of the Year 2012
• Received the Lifesaving Award in 2005 for his response to a suicidal individual where the person had driven a car over an embankment
• Received Chief's Citation Award in 2004 for his work with the SWAT team and their response to an active shooter incident at Lewis and Clark High School
• Received the Silver Star Award in 2004 for his courageous response to an active shooter incident at Lewis and Clark High School where he contained the suspect inside the building
• Commendations in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000 for: his tenacity, attention to detail and teamwork handling an armed robbery investigation; his response to an armed robbery incident; his diligence during a collision investigation; his response as a CART officer to an armed suspect; his professional and compassionate response to a domestic violence incident; his kindness during his response to a serious injury accident; his professional and courteous investigation of an assault; his quick response and arrest of the suspect during a shooting at Hoopfest; the assistance he provided to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office in their effort to locate a missing person; his prompt response to a serious collision; his calm demeanor in responding to a suicidal subject who assaulted an officer; his dedication and diligence in training with the SWAT team; his response to an armed robbery of a convenience store; his thorough response in a death investigation; and his response to a shooting incident
• Commendations from the FBI in 2012 and in 2011 for his assistance in an international investigation involving the sexual exploitation of hundreds of children (2012) and for his assistance in the execution of 10 search warrants (2011)
• Commendation in 2011 from the Spokane Fire Department for his professional and calm response to a suicidal person on the Trent Street Bridge
• Involved in a shooting in 2003; the use of force was determined to be justified

Ofc. Paul Buchmann: 11-year SPD veteran and member of SWAT and a K-9 Handler.

• Commendations in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005, and 2004 for: his professional and quick response and arrest of the Hoopfest shooting suspects; his professional response to a subject armed with a shotgun during a robbery where he quickly relayed pertinent information to responding officers; a suicidal female on the Monroe Street Bridge where he established negotiations with the female; his assistance with the Enhancing the Survival Mindset Training put on at the Spokane Police Academy; his response to a suicidal male on the Monroe Street Bridge; his professional and kind response to a vehicle theft; his respectful and professional response to a serious injury accident involving several children; his professional demeanor during a ride-along with a citizen; his compassionate response to a burglary incident; his response to a missing female in Spokane County; his professional demeanor and kindness to the children at a domestic violence incident; his response to an armed robbery where he located the suspect as he was fleeing the scene; his excellent response to a fight at a local night club; and his quick and professional response to a collision investigation
• Commendations in 2011 from the Spokane Fire Department for his calm and professional manner in responding to a suicidal female on the Trent Street Bridge
• Commendation in 2011 from the Kennewick Police Chief for his response/assistance in locating two Kennewick bank robbery suspects
• Commendation from former Deputy Chief Nicks for his response to a citizen who had their car vandalized

Ofc. Sean Wheeler: 7-year SPD veteran and member of SWAT and the Patrol Anti-Crime Team (PACT).

• Received the Chief's Citation Award in 2012 for his work with the Patrol Anti-Crime Team (PACT)
• Received the Lifesaving Award in 2009 for his rescue of a suicidal female on the Monroe Street Bridge
• Commendations in 2013, 2011, 2009, 2008, and 2007 for his professional and thorough response to patrol incidents including: his work recovering of a stolen vehicle, his quick response and professionalism during an burglary in-progress; his work to locate and arrest two armed robbery suspects; his helpful and compassionate response to a domestic violence incident; his professional and through investigation in an elder-care abuse case; his work during a missing person investigation
• Commendations from detectives at the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and the Commander of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Burien for his leadership and work with PACT

Ofc. Art Dollard: 6-year SPD veteran, member of SWAT and a Field Training Officer (FTO). Ofc. Dollard worked for the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office before being hired by SPD.

• Commendations in 2012, 2010 and 2007 for his professional response to patrol incidents including: his thorough investigation of a missing juvenile/possible abduction incident; his quick response to a stolen vehicle incident and recovery; and his professionalism responding to a missing 8-year-old child
• Commendation in 2010 by the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office for his assistance with SWAT equipment during a search for a homicide suspect

• Newer
• Older