Update: Deputies Involved on October 5, 2019
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the names of the Deputies involved in the incident where an out of control, disorderly, male became unresponsive and died while being restrained on October 5, 2019.
Deputy Phil Pfeifer started his law enforcement career working in the Spokane County Jail and was hired as a Patrol Deputy in 2006. He has been a K9 handler with the Sheriff’s Office since 2014 and is currently a certified Washington State K9 Instructor. He has received a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Life-Saving Award, a Unit Merit Award, and a Certificate of Appreciation along with several letters of accommodation from citizens, coworkers, supervisors, and other agencies for his work and dedication.
Deputy Veronica Van Patten began her law enforcement career as a Deputy with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office in 2016. She is assigned to Spokane Valley Patrol on the night shift and a member of the Hostage/Negotiator Team, assists in the training of new cadets during their basic law enforcement academy, and has attended advanced training toward becoming a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). She also previously served as a member of our Recruitment Team.
Deputy Travis West began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in January of 2015 and is currently assigned to Spokane Valley Patrol on the night shift and a member of the SWAT Team in addition to being a Field Training Officer (FTO). In 2016, he received a Sheriff’s Office Letter of Appreciation as a member of the Patrol Division for his hard work and dedication. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy West served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Avionics Technician and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the Global War on Terror. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Washington State University.
The SIRR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Washington State Patrol, Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and Spokane Valley Police Department.
• The Washington State Patrol is the case managing agency in this incident. All future communications regarding this investigation will be sent via the SIRR Team.
• Once the SIRR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.