Two Washington state sheriff’s deputies were fatally shot while attempting to rescue a domestic violence hostage after a shooting broke out.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies Mason Acheson and Parker Perry were gunned down while trying to rescue a woman who said she had been shot in the chest on Tuesday afternoon.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels announced on Friday that one of the deputies who had been critically injured during the incident had ‘lost his valiant fight and succumbed to his injuries last night.’
The deputy, identified as Acheson, is survived by his wife and two children.
Meanwhile, the second deputy, Perry, remained on life support in critical condition while ‘surrounded by his family.’ He later died.
Nowels added that Perry was an organ donor and ‘arrangements are being considered.’
‘He will continue to serve others with the gift of life,’ the sheriff added.
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, seen above, were gunned down while trying to rescue a woman who reported that she had been shot in the chest on Tuesday afternoon
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels announced on Friday that one of the deputies, identified as Acheson seen above with his wife and children, had ‘lost his valiant fight and succumbed to his injuries last 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 continued on to say that Acheson and Perry are ‘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 responded to the home on Smythe Road at around 2.25pm, discovering that the male suspect, identified as Ryan Larsen, 37, had an active felony warrant for his arrest, Nowels said.
Responding deputies grew concerned that the suspect may have access to more weapons and were unsure if other victims were possibly inside the residence, according to the sheriff’s office.
SWAT was called and Perry, a K-9 deputy with his dog Brego, joined the team in approaching the home at around 3.15pm.
After forcing their way into the residence, gunfire erupted striking Perry and Acheson before their team fired back.
The second deputy, Perry seen above, remains on life support in critical condition while ‘surrounded by his family.’ Perry leaves behind his wife and two children, and was expecting a third
The pair were pulled to cover and they were provided with medical aid before they were transported by Life Flight helicopters to hospital, Nowels said.
The female victim was transported to the hospital ‘with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.
A drone was sent inside the home and the suspect was discovered to have died, according to State Patrol.
According to the Spokesman-Review Journal, the Spokane County medical examiner determined that Larsen had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Two others were killed, including his mother Suzanne Larsen, 72, and sister Rebecca Larsen, 45, the outlet reported.
Washington State Police said that Larsen had barricaded himself inside of his home.
‘It was a very tragic day in Spokane County,’ Nowels said, the outlet reported.
‘A lot of families have been affected.’
According to a fundraiser, Acheson, seen above, ‘was a devoted husband to Hannah, a loving father to their two young boys, and a man whose life was deeply rooted in faith’
Perry served with the sheriff’s office for nearly seven years after serving in the Washington Army National Guard since 2017, earning the rank of Captain as a Military Intelligence Officer to the 81st Brigade’s 1-161st Infantry Battalion, the sheriff’s office said.
He was awarded two Army Commendation Medals and an Armed Forces Service Medal.
In responding to the incident on Tuesday, Perry ‘responded on his own, without prompting,’ which the sheriff’s office said was 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.
Acheson ‘dedicated his life to serving and protecting others,’ according to a GoFundMe created for his family.
The deputy was a trained sniper and sergeant with the Washington Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, and joined the sheriff’s office in 2022 as a firearms instructor, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff said that 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 noted that, while ‘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.’
The Daily Mail reached out to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington Army National Guard for comment.
