Two Spokane County sheriff’s deputies have died after being shot while attempting to rescue a domestic violence victim during a standoff in Washington state.
Deputies Mason Acheson and Parker Perry were shot Tuesday afternoon as they tried to reach a woman who reported being shot in the chest.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels announced Friday that Acheson had “lost his valiant fight and succumbed to his injuries” the previous night.
Acheson is survived by his wife and two children.
Perry was initially kept on life support in critical condition while surrounded by his family. He later died from his injuries.
Nowels said Perry was an organ donor and that arrangements were being considered.
“He will continue to serve others with the gift of life,” the sheriff said.
Perry leaves behind his wife and two children and was expecting a third, according to the sheriff’s office.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies Mason Acheson and Parker Perry, pictured above, were shot while trying to rescue a woman who reported being shot in the chest Tuesday afternoon
Sheriff John Nowels announced Friday that Acheson, pictured above with his wife and children, had “lost his valiant fight and succumbed to his injuries” the previous night
“Although we know our deputies knew the risks, they bravely moved toward danger to protect others they did not know,” Nowels said.
“They did this with honor and with an unwavering sense of duty to their oath to serve and protect the citizens of Spokane County; they heroically placed themselves in mortal danger.”
Nowels said Acheson and Perry were “true examples of selfless service and dedication.”
“They are the epitome of what the men and women in law enforcement are; they are the best of all of us. We cherish having served with them as we begin to process the devastating and unthinkable loss,” he added.
Law enforcement was called to a home on Smythe Road at about 2:25 p.m. Deputies learned that the male suspect, identified as 37-year-old Ryan Larsen, had an active felony arrest warrant, Nowels said.
Deputies became concerned that Larsen might have access to additional weapons and could not determine whether other victims were inside the residence, according to the sheriff’s office.
A SWAT team was called in, and Perry, a K-9 deputy accompanied by his dog Brego, joined the operation as officers approached the home at about 3:15 p.m.
After officers forced their way inside, gunfire broke out. Perry and Acheson were struck before members of their team returned fire.
Perry, pictured above, was initially placed on life support in critical condition while surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his wife and two children and was expecting a third
The deputies were moved to safety and given emergency medical treatment before being flown to a hospital by Life Flight helicopters, Nowels said.
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The female victim was taken to a hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.
A drone was sent into the home, where the suspect was found dead, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The Spokane County medical examiner determined that Larsen died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Spokesman-Review Journal reported.
Two other people were also killed: Larsen’s mother, 72-year-old Suzanne Larsen, and his sister, 45-year-old Rebecca Larsen, according to the outlet.
Washington State Police said Larsen had barricaded himself inside the home.
“It was a very tragic day in Spokane County,” Nowels said, according to the outlet.
“A lot of families have been affected.”
A fundraiser described Acheson, pictured above, as “a devoted husband to Hannah, a loving father to their two young boys, and a man whose life was deeply rooted in faith”
Perry had served with the sheriff’s office for nearly seven years. He had also served in the Washington Army National Guard since 2017, rising to the rank of captain as a military intelligence officer with the 81st Brigade’s 1-161st Infantry Battalion, the sheriff’s office said.
His military honors included two Army Commendation Medals and an Armed Forces Service Medal.
When responding to Tuesday’s incident, Perry “responded on his own, without prompting,” the sheriff’s office said, calling it an “example of how he lived life, always prioritizing the safety of others before his own.”
“Deputy Perry laid down his life to rescue another during this entry and was critically injured in the process. Though gravely injured, Deputy Parker Perry and his family chose to continue his selfless service to others by donating his organs to ensure others in need across this region and country will live,” the sheriff’s office said.
A GoFundMe campaign created for Acheson’s family said he “dedicated his life to serving and protecting others.”
Acheson was a trained sniper and sergeant with the Washington Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment. He joined the sheriff’s office in 2022 as a firearms instructor, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Nowels said Acheson “made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, community and fellow team members.”
“In the face of danger, he stepped forward to preserve life, and in this selfless act of bravery, he lost his life while trying to protect others. He dedicated himself to serving others in both the military and law enforcement, leaving a lasting impact through his selfless commitment to service,” the sheriff’s office added.
The fundraiser said that although “Mason’s courage and dedication to serving his country and community were remarkable, the most important parts of his life were found beyond the uniform.”
“Mason was a devoted husband to Hannah, a loving father to their two young boys, and a man whose life was deeply rooted in faith. He loved the Lord and his family wholeheartedly, and his greatest joy was found in the life he shared with them,” the page said.
“Hannah and the boys are now facing the heartbreak of a future without him. As they navigate this unimaginable loss, our hope is to surround them with love, prayer, and support.”
Our News Outlet contacted the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington Army National Guard for comment.
