Updated at 9:13 a.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said this morning it was Deputy Matt Wallace who shot and killed a motorist he encountered with a knife on state Route 6 early yesterday morning.
Wallace is 37 years old and has been with the sheriff’s office for nine years, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown.
Wallace was alone and on routine patrol when he stopped and approached a car parked at a gravel turnout near Boistfort shortly after midnight, according to the sheriff’s office.
Initial reports indicate he observed the man who was bleeding heavily from what he thought were self-inflicted wounds, and when he tried to speak with him, the man lunged out the vehicle with a large knife.
Wallace shot the man who died at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office. The dead man is still identified only as a 64-year-old resident of Napavine.
Wallace was not injured, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown. He is on paid administrative leave for an unknown length of time, according to Brown.
“There’s just a process he has to go through before he comes back to work,” Brown said.
A team of outside law enforcement officers is investigating the incident.
The Regional Sheriff’s Critical Incident Investigation team is made up of deputies from the surrounding counties of Thurston, Pacific, Mason and Grays Harbor and the Washington State Patrol.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead in this investigation, according to Brown.
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For background, read “Deputy fatally shoots Napavine man on state Route 6” from Thursday November 1, 2012 at 8:30 a.m., here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
If you all wanna go on about DCE, go ahead. It just makes your day. Or you could just choose to not read his comment. Just keep feeding the fire like idiots, and he’ll keep it comin! Your all so very smart!
Now what? Was the cop still right to shoot and KILL this old man? When they kill someone that they didnt have to,do you just say “oopsie booboo” and let it go? Just cause hes a cop, let it go? He was under stress? He shouldnt have a gun if he cant handle a situation like that. Little nervous, with a gun! Fuck no! That old man didnt have to die.
@Huh? – Excellent note to self. The masses are ruthless.
Note to self – if anything happens to myself, family, or friends, I MUST refrain from reading any news articles and ESPECIALLY the comments sections!
That old adage “live and learn” seems pretty apt here – learn from others.
Meself will thank me in the event of a newsworthy story! Thanks self!
I think the problem is he really couldn’t out run a 64 year old man? This is my grandfather, and he could barley even properly make a sandwich let alone lunge at someone. the first guy 4 bullets, 4 BULLETS, how many went through him? If you can not defend your self from an old man that is bleeding, without a gun the we need new training.
since when was self defense a crime? cop or not i wouldn’t think twice to defend myself.
People continue to amaze me. An officer defends himself and have the public want to hang him up. However, those same people are the first to expect that very officer to show up to defend them. You Law Enforcement bashers need to remember that those people who put on a uniform everyday, are just that people. They have no more wish to die than we do! But they have agreed to protect us at their own expense so show them a little respect!
Put yourself in Deputy Wallace’s place a man with a knife coming at you. You only have a millisecond to think. What would you do. Deputy Matt Wallace did what most people would do he defended himself against a man with a knife he could’ve had a gun too. Deputy Wallace acted in self defense just as he should’ve there are bad cops that shoot without cause. Matt Wallace is not one of them I know several cops they are good guys.
@ MorningCoffee… ain’t gonna happen… professional victims refuse to do things that include using brains.
DCE – “When will a citizens board form.” — when you focus your efforts to put it on the ballot.
Well DCE aka David Lowe, did you call this crime into 911? Cops are people to that make mistakes. Sounds like you did nothing and just continue your ranting about cops and government. You’re a damn idiot. Have you bought your ticket to Mexico yet? Do you need some cash?
I am a big supporter of law enforcement but I also agree they should be held to a higher standard. If an officer is driving under the influence they should be suspended and fired once convicted.
The higher standard should be while on and off duty as they are very public.
Cops Investigating cops. Wonderful. When will a citizens board form. Just a few days ago I watched as an X cop got in his truck and drove away drunk from the bar he was at. Needles to say he needs a Bumper Sticker