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 he was 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, though 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 an opportunity to live.
It is the deadliest law enforcement shooting in Washington since 2009, when four Lakewood police officers were assassinated before their shift while sitting in a coffee shop 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 the day shift 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 her chest. She said she was shot by her brother, 37-year-old Ryan T. Larsen. The woman was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Deputies 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 more victims were in the home.
Parker and his canine, Brego, Acheson and others attempted to break down the door of the home but were immediately ambushed by gunfire.
Larsen is believed to have 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 Tuesday news conference. "A lot of families have been affected."
Perry and Acheson both amassed accolades from the U.S. Army National Guard. Perry, a captain, was a military intelligence officer assigned to the 81st Brigade's 1-161st Infantry Battalion. He was awarded 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 team, basketball team and ran track before graduating in 2016. He was class president.
Jake Dingman, the Oakesdale School District superintendent and school principal, joined the district 19 years ago when Perry was in the fifth grade.
"He was just a natural leader," Dingman said.
With graduating classes so small, Dingman takes the time to give a speech about each of the students who attend one school that houses kindergarten through 12th grade.
"Parker was not shy. He'd come in and talk to me," Dingman said. "If there was something he disagreed with, he'd let me know. I always appreciated his directness."
When Dingman heard about the shooting, he looked up what he said about Perry 10 years ago.
"He was one of the most goal-oriented students I ever worked with," Dingman said. "Everything he did, he set the goal to be the best. That went on into college and his career."
Dingman knew Perry had become a deputy with the Spokane Sheriff's Office.
"Oakesdale has 400 people. That's part of our small town. We just 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, it impacts everybody really hard.
"This has been devastating to our community and our school. Our hearts are with his family."
Acheson was born in Leavenworth and grew up near Colville. He too was assigned to the 81st Brigade's 1-161st Infantry Battalion, where he became a sergeant. Acheson earned three Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal, three Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, a National Defense Service Medal and an Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
Acheson also competed in sniper competitions and was a firearms instructor for the Washington State Patrol.
"Deputy 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," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "He dedicated himself to serving others in both the military and law enforcement, leaving a lasting impact through his selfless commitment to service."
Washington National Guard Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh released a statement on social media about the deputies, calling it a message "among the hardest" to share.
"They were the kind of people our country needs more of — people who put others first, care deeply about their communities, and are willing to step forward when others need help. They lived that commitment every day, wearing both a deputy's badge and the Washington National Guard uniform," Welsh wrote. "They represented the very best of public service, and will be remembered for their courage, their commitment to others, and the lives they touched."
The sheriff's office is asking for donations for the families' funeral expenses. By law, the office cannot use state funds.
Those wanting to donate can stop by any Canopy Credit Union Branch and request to donate to the SCOPE/SCSO Memorial Fund, call the branch directly or drop off a check at any Canopy Credit Union location. People can also drop off checks directly at the sheriff's office, or donate via Venmo @SpokaneSCOPE.
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