Two Spokane County deputies shot in the line of duty Tuesday, who have a legacy of military service, leave behind young families.
Mason Acheson, 35, died early Wednesday morning after being shot while responding to a domestic violence call at a home off South Smythe Road in Spangle.
Parker Perry, 29, was also shot and remained on life support as of Friday afternoon, although he is not expected to survive. Perry’s family will donate his organs, the sheriff’s office said in a news release, calling the decision a “selfless service” to ensure others in need of organs have the opportunity to live.
It was the deadliest shooting in Washington since 2009, when four Lakewood police officers were murdered before their shift while sitting at a cafe in Parkland.
Acheson is survived by his wife and two children. Perry has a wife, two children and another child on the way, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Perry was hired by the sheriff’s office in 2020 and became a K-9 deputy last year. Acheson was hired in 2022, worked day shifts downtown and served on the SWAT team as a trained sniper.
That Tuesday, deputies responded to a home at 18819 S. Smythe Road at 2:25 p.m. because a woman had run to her neighbor’s house with a gunshot wound to the chest. She said she was shot by her brother, 37-year-old Ryan T. Larsen. The woman was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The police launched a drone and discovered a body in the yard. They determined the person was dead and moved the body to a safe location, but believed other victims were in the home.
Parker and his dogs, Brego, Acheson and others attempted to break down the door of the house but were immediately ambushed by gunfire.
Larsen allegedly killed his mother, Suzanne Larsen, and his sister, Rebecca Larsen, before turning the gun on himself.
“It was a very tragic day in Spokane County,” Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said during a news conference Tuesday. “A lot of families have been affected.”
Both Perry and Acheson received commendations from the U.S. National Guard. Perry, a captain, was a military intelligence officer assigned to the 1-161st Infantry Battalion of the 81st Brigade. He received two Army Commendation Medals and an Armed Forces Service Medal, according to the sheriff’s office.
Perry grew up in Oakesdale, where he played on the Nighthawks football and basketball team and ran track before graduating in 2016. He served as class president.
Jake Dingman, superintendent and head of school for the Oakesdale School District, joined the district 19 years ago when Perry was in fifth grade.
“He was just a natural leader,” Dingman said.
With the class being so small, Dingman takes the time to give a speech about each of the students who attend a school that serves kindergarten through 12th grade.
“Parker wasn’t shy. He would come and talk to me,” Dingman said. “If there was something he didn’t agree with, he would let me know. I always appreciated his frankness.”
When Dingman heard about the shooting, he looked up what he had said about Perry 10 years ago.
“He was one of the most goal-oriented students I’ve ever worked with,” Dingman said. “Everything he did, he had a goal of being the best. That continued through college and into his career.”
Dingman knew Perry had become a deputy with the Spokane Sheriff’s Office.
“Oakesdale has 400 residents. It’s part of our little town. We don’t lose touch. And Parker’s family is an incredible family that’s involved in everything,” he said. “And we’re all friends. And so, it really has a really hard impact on everyone.
“This has been devastating to our community and our school. Our hearts go out to his family.”
Acheson was born in Leavenworth and raised near Colville. He too was assigned to the 1-161st Infantry Battalion of the 81st Brigade, where he became a sergeant. Acheson earned three Army Commendation Medals, one Army Achievement Medal, three Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, one National Defense Service Medal and one Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
Acheson also competed in sniper competitions and served as a firearms instructor for the Washington State Patrol.
“Deputy Acheson made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, his community and his fellow team members. In the face of danger, he stepped forward to preserve life, and in that selfless act of bravery, he lost his life trying to protect others,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “He dedicated himself to serving others, both in the military and in law enforcement, leaving a lasting impact through his selfless commitment to service.” »
Washington National Guard Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh posted a statement on social media about the deputies, calling it “among the most difficult” messages to share.
“They were the kind of people our country needs more of – people who put others first, care deeply about their community and are willing to show up when others need help. They lived that commitment every day, wearing both the deputy badge and the uniform of the Washington National Guard,” Welsh wrote. “They represented the best of public service and we will remember their courage, their commitment to others and the lives they touched. »
The sheriff’s office is asking for donations to cover funeral costs for families. By law, the office cannot use state funds.
Those wishing to make a donation can stop by any Canopy Credit Union branch and ask to make a donation to the SCOPE/SCSO Memorial Fund, call the branch directly, or deposit a check at any Canopy Credit Union branch. People can also deposit checks directly to the sheriff’s office or donate via Venmo @SpokaneSCOPE.
Gn usa
