Police Department

Police Officer Assaulted During Downtown Traffic Stop

Ofc. John O'Brien, PIO

Monday, May 18, 2020 at 4:50 p.m.

On May 17, 2020, around 1:40 p.m., a Spokane Police Officer was driving his fully marked patrol vehicle west on 2^nd Avenue approaching Division Street. A vehicle in front of him stopped partially in the intersection, disregarding the steady green signal, to let a female into his car that appeared to be engaging in prostitution. The driver of the vehicle partially blocked the intersection for nearly a minute.

The Officer used his PA system telling the driver to pull into the parking right next to them. The Officer had his emergency lights activated.

The driver, eventually identified as 54-year-old Kevin L. Hicks, looked back at the Officer and yelled at him but didn’t comply. Hicks drove off then stopped his vehicle again in the roadway about a block away and yelled more at the Officer while waving his arms. After the brief stop, Hicks drove off ignoring the Officer’s emergency lights and siren.

A few blocks away and after a few turns, Hicks finally stopped. He jumped out of his car and appeared to be dropping an item into his car while cranking up the window. Hicks was refusing to follow commands and was resisting being detained.

When the Officer grabbed Hick’s arm to control his movements, Hicks tried to run away before he spun and struck the Officer on the shoulder with his hand. Hicks broke free then turned his back to the Officer and dug into his front pants pockets. The Officer gave Hicks more commands before he grabbed him to control his movements.

Hick’s spun and punched the Officer with a closed fist on the chest. He repeatedly tried to punch the Officer and grab at the officer’s arm.

The Officer deployed his Taser at Hick’s chest area. The Taser was not successful in stopping Hicks’s assaultive behavior. Rather than comply, Hicks took a fighting stance with clenched fists. A second application of the Taser was ineffective as well. The Officer tried to hold Hicks against the patrol car but Hicks kicked backwards and struck the officer in the knee.

When backup arrived, the Officers were able to get arm control on Hicks and hold him against the patrol car. Officers had to overcome Hicks’s resistance to being handcuffed. Even after being handcuffed, Hicks tried to run away.

Hicks was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Fail to Obey Officer, Resisting Arrest, Assault 3^rd Degree and Driving with License Suspended 3^rd Degree.

2020-20082172

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