Samuel Turner
Service Record
Idaho State Police
| Rank | Officer |
| Dates of Service | Hired August 2012.[1] |
| Last Known Status | Separated |
Spokane County Washington Sheriff's Office
| Rank | Officer, Detective (2024)[2] |
| Dates of Service | Hired October 1, 2015.[1] |
| Last Known Status | Active |
The Spokane Valley Washington Police Department contracts with the Spokane County Washington Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services.
Commendations
2017 Life-Saving Award
In 2017, Turner saved a 2-year-old child who fell into a pond and had stopped breathing.[1]
2020 Life-Saving Award
On March 8, 2020, Turner responded to a call where the victim had been shot. Turner rendered aid until paramedics arrived.[3]
2021 Life-Saving Award
On February 24, 2021, Turner responded to a call where a resident had been shot. Turner rendered aid.[3]
2021 Unit Merit Citation
In 2021, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office SWAT and Hostage Negotiation Teams received a Unit Merit Citation for their response to a domestic violence call where the suspect barricaded themselves and two children in the residence.[3]
Incident Reports
2017 Arrest of Austen Sullivan
On August 31, 2017, Turner pursued Sullivan, who was on a bicycle. Turner and Sullivan collided.[4]
The incident was featured on the TV show COPS.[4][5]
Response Timeline
The City of Spokane Police Department Criminal Investigation Unit opened an investigation.[4]
On September 12, 2017, Turner was placed on administrative leave.[6]
The investigation found that Sullivan had turned his bicycle into Turner's vehicle.[4]
The county settled the incident for $25,000.[4]
2018 Death of Richard Bahr
Bahr was suspected of kidnapping.[2]
On July 25, 2018, Bahr rammed Turner's vehicle. Turner responded with lethal force, killing Bahr.[1][2]
Response Timeline
A multi-agency team opened an investigation.[1]
The Spokane County Prosecutor's Office said the shooting was justified.[2]
2023 Arrest of Joshua Clark
On October 1, 2023, Turner was patrolling an area of increased criminal activity when he located a vehicle that was associated with several prior trespassing calls and a man named Willie Burns with an outstanding felony warrant. Turner approached the vehicle, opened the driver's door, and made contact with Clark, who denied being Burns. Clark gave Turner his first name, but refused to provide identification or his last name. Turner ordered Clark from the vehicle. When Clark refused, Turned grabbed Clark by the arm and pulled him out. Turner punched Clark as he struggled to apply handcuffs.[7]
Turner claimed that Clark was kicking. Another officer put Clark in leg restraints.
Clark was arrested and charged with assaulting an officer, obstructing, resisting arrest, and trespassing.[7]
The incident was captured on Turner's body-worn camera.[7]
Response Timeline
County prosecutors dropped the charges against Clark.[7]
On April 17, 2025, Clark filed a lawsuit against Turner, the Police Chief, and the agency.[7]
2024 Death of Donald Hegel
Hegel failed to appear in court on child sexual assault charges.[2]
On March 29, 2024, multiple officers arrived at a home to arrest Hegel. After a standoff lasting several hours, officers, including Deputy Josiah Loos and detectives Turner and Travis West, entered the home and faced "an immediate threat that resulted in the use of lethal force".[2]
Response Timeline
Turner was placed on administrative leave.[2]
LEO Ratings
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Update: Deputy Involved Shooting on Hills Ct., Spokane County Sheriff's Office, 2018-08-01
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Garrett Cabeza, Sheriff's office ID's deputies involved in fatal shooting of suspected child rapist near Deer Park, The Spokesman-Review, 2024-04-05
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Employee Recognition Night, Spokane County Sheriff's Office
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Board Meeting Minutes, Spokane County Sheriff's Office, 2019-09-09
- ↑ Cops S31.E1, IMDb
- ↑ Elena Gardner, Spokane Valley deputy placed on administrative leave during investigation, KXLY, 2023-01-13
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Shannon Moudy, Spokane Valley man files civil rights lawsuit against police department, officer after October 2023 incident, KREM, 2025-04-17
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