Police Department

27-year SPD veteran released from hospital after being shot yesterday

Cpl. Nick Briggs, PIO

Monday, June 27, 2022 at 2:39 p.m.

Update 4/5/24:

Man who shot a Spokane Police Officer in a calculated attack  sentenced to more than 65 years

Today, 4/5/24, in Spokane Superior Court, Ray A. Wynecoop (23) was sentenced to 65.25 years in prison for the shooting of SPD Officer Kris Honaker in June of 2022. Honaker was responding to multiple drive-by shooting calls when a vehicle with two people inside opened fire on his patrol car striking him twice. The suspect vehicle had chased and attempted to pull alongside another patrol car driven by Officer Michele Kernkamp before shooting at Honaker’s car.  Wynecoop along with Isaac A. Ott (23) were apprehended by responding SPD officers a short time later after taking off in their vehicle, crashing it, and then fleeing on foot before officers took them into custody.

Wynecoop and Ott were booked into the Spokane County Jail on a multitude of charges where they have remained since 2022. Both Wynecoop and Ott have extensive criminal backgrounds to include multiple felony convictions and both were under Department of Corrections (DOC) supervision at the time of the shooting.

In October of last year, Wynecoop plead guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, two counts of First Degree Assault for Officers Honaker and Kernkamp. And three additional counts of First Degree Assault for victims in the other drive-by shootings. He also plead to two counts of Drive- by-Shooting, Attempt to Elude, and Malicious Mischief in the First Degree.

The State argued for consecutive sentencing for the various charges based on what Prosecutor Preston McCollam described as the intentional, premeditated shooting of a police officer as Wynecoop actively hunted law enforcement. During sentencing arguments, the State showed a video the suspects took as they carried out the attack where Wynecoop brags about going after law enforcement. The State also relayed that Wynecoop continued to brag about the shooting from jail saying he would be a legend for his actions. When rendering his decision to impose a 783 month sentence, the judge agreed that Wynecoop carried out a deliberate ambush on law enforcement to elevate his status among his peers. The State requested no less than 783 months stating that Wynecoop chose to target police officers while on release conditions and DOC supervision, after shooting at multiple civilians, showing (along with his accomplice) a complete lack of regard for human life.  Wynecoop still faces federal charges from this incident.

Ott’s case is pending and is currently set for trial April 22, 2024.

The Spokane Police Department thanks the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for their meticulous and diligent investigation of this case and the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for bringing the case forward.

SPD is pleased that justice has been served in the case of one of the two suspects in the shooting of a Spokane police officer and the assault of another officer. The shooting forever changed the lives of the two officers involved and affected all officers who face similar dangers everyday as they live out the oath to serve and protect their community.

6/27/22:

Officer Kris Honaker was shot in the line-of-duty Sunday June 26, 2022, after responding to multiple drive-by shooting calls. Officer Honaker sustained injuries to his leg and head. Despite the serious wounds, we are happy to report Officer Honaker has been released from the hospital and is beginning to recuperate. Being released from the hospital is a terrific sign, but the steps and timeframe required for recovery are still uncertain.

Officer Honaker began his career with SPD in 1995, and is currently assigned to the patrol division. Throughout his years of service, Officer Honaker has accumulated many accolades including department commendations and letters of gratitude written by citizens. Officer Honaker has served as a K-9 handler, and as a member of SPD’s TAC and CART teams. Among his numerous accomplishments and honors, Officer Honaker is the recipient of SPD’s life-saving award.

Officer Honaker, and SPD, would like to thank the community for the outpouring of support. This is a difficult time for our organization; our friend and colleague was senselessly shot while protecting our community. The public’s reaction has been uplifting to Kris and to the entire department as we move forward together.

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