Deputy answers questions on shooting

A Spokane County Sheriff's deputy on Friday told investigators what happened before he shot and killed a pastor last month.

Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy Brian Hirzel shot Greenacres Baptist Church Pastor Wayne Scott Creach, 74, after a confrontation on Aug. 25 in the parking lot of Creach's Spokane Valley nursery business, according to Spokane Police.

Hirzel, a Hayden resident who worked for Kootenai County for four years, met with Spokane Police Department Major Crimes Detectives and provided a voluntary two-hour interview in regard to the incident.

According to a press release, Hirzel told detectives he was in the neighborhood of 14200 E. Fourth Ave. conducting a prowl check based on a request from a citizen earlier that day for that particular block.

Hirzel said he chose the large parking lot of the Plant Farm because it allowed him to conduct the prowl check safely, and also for its proximity to the address where the prowl check was first requested, the release said.

"Hirzel also stated that he saw Mr. Creach approaching his vehicle from a distance of approximately 30 feet and that Mr. Creach had a firearm in his hand," the release stated.

According to Hirzel's statement and evidence collected at the scene, there was a close encounter between the officer and Creach near the officer's car.

"Officer Hirzel stated there was a verbal exchange between himself and Mr. Creach prior to the single gunshot being fired," the release said.

Hirzel is on paid administrative leave during the investigation. He is currently assigned to work in the city of Spokane Valley and has worked for Spokane County for the past two years.

An investigation continues.