Two Spokane County sheriff’s deputies were killed after rushing into a dangerous domestic-violence situation to rescue a woman who reported being shot.
Deputies Mason Acheson and Parker Perry were fatally wounded Tuesday afternoon as they attempted to save the woman in Spokane, Washington.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels announced Friday that one of the critically injured deputies had “lost his valiant fight and succumbed to his injuries last night.”
The deputy was identified as Acheson, who leaves behind his wife and two children.
Perry remained on life support in critical condition, surrounded by his family, before also succumbing to his injuries.
Nowels said Perry was an organ donor and that arrangements were being made for the donation.
“He will continue to serve others with the gift of life,” the sheriff said.
Perry is survived by his wife and two children, with a third child on the way, according to the sheriff’s office.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies Mason Acheson and Parker Perry, pictured above, were fatally wounded while trying to rescue a woman who reported being shot in the chest Tuesday afternoon
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels announced Friday that Deputy Mason Acheson, pictured above with his wife and children, had “lost his valiant fight and succumbed to his injuries”
“Although we know our deputies understood the risks, they bravely moved toward danger to protect people they did not know,” Nowels said.
“They acted with honor and an unwavering commitment to their oath to serve and protect the citizens of Spokane County, placing themselves in mortal danger to save others.”
Nowels described Acheson and Perry as “true examples of selfless service and dedication.”
“They represent the very best of law enforcement. We are honored to have served alongside them as we begin to process this devastating and unthinkable loss,” he added.
Authorities were called to a home on Smythe Road at approximately 2:25 p.m. and learned that the male suspect, identified as 37-year-old Ryan Larsen, had an active felony warrant, Nowels said.
Deputies feared Larsen could have access to additional weapons and could not determine whether other victims remained inside the residence, according to the sheriff’s office.
SWAT was called to the scene. Perry, a K-9 deputy, joined the team with his dog, Brego, as officers approached the home at about 3:15 p.m.
After deputies forced their way inside, gunfire erupted. Perry and Acheson were struck before members of their team returned fire.
Deputy Parker Perry, pictured above, remained on life support in critical condition while surrounded by his family before succumbing to his injuries. He leaves behind his wife and two children and was expecting a third
The wounded deputies were moved to a position of cover, where they received emergency treatment before being flown to a hospital by Life Flight helicopters, Nowels said.
The female victim was also taken to the hospital with injuries that appeared to be non-life-threatening.
A drone sent into the residence located the suspect, who 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 reported.
Two other people were killed: Larsen’s 72-year-old mother, Suzanne Larsen, and his 45-year-old sister, Rebecca Larsen, according to the newspaper.
Larsen’s sister Julie was the woman who called 911 after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest and survived. Property records show the home belonged to Suzanne and her husband, Keith, Larsen’s father.
Washington State Police said Larsen had barricaded himself inside the house.
The arrest warrant stemmed from a 2015 incident in which Larsen allegedly pointed a gun at a dog walker on his property in Rosalia, according to records reviewed by the outlet.
He was initially charged with second-degree assault but was later convicted of aiming or discharging a firearm. He served 10 days in jail before appealing the conviction, which was dismissed in 2022.
Larsen had an outstanding failure-to-appear warrant connected to the case, the outlet reported.
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”
“It was a very tragic day in Spokane County,” Nowels said, according to the outlet. “A lot of families have been affected.”
Perry had served with the sheriff’s office for nearly seven years. He had also been a member of 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 he responded to the incident Tuesday, Perry acted on his own initiative, without prompting. The sheriff’s office said that decision reflected the way he lived, consistently putting the safety of others ahead of his own.
“Deputy Perry laid down his life to rescue another during this entry and was critically injured in the process,” the sheriff’s office said. “Though gravely injured, Deputy Parker Perry and his family chose to continue his selfless service by donating his organs so people in need across this region and country could live.”
A GoFundMe campaign established for Acheson’s family said he had “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 Spokane County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 as a firearms instructor.
The sheriff 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. In that selfless act of bravery, he lost his own life while trying to protect others,” the sheriff’s office said. “He served others through both the military and law enforcement, leaving a lasting impact through his commitment to service.”
The fundraiser said that although Acheson’s courage and dedication to his country and community were extraordinary, the most important parts of his life existed beyond his 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,” the page said. “He loved the Lord and his family wholeheartedly, and his greatest joy came from the life he shared with them.”
“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.”
In a statement from the Washington National Guard, Major General Gent Welsh said messages announcing such deaths were “among the hardest I have to share.”
“They were the kind of people our country needs more of—people who put others first, care deeply about their communities and step forward when help is needed,” he said.
“They lived that commitment every day while wearing both a deputy’s badge and the Washington National Guard uniform. They represented the very best of public service and will be remembered for their courage, dedication to others and the lives they touched.”
The Daily Mail contacted the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for comment.