Convicted Violent Felon Fights with Deputies and K9
SIRR Team Investigation Requested
Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a call of an intoxicated male choking his juvenile brother-in-law and arrested 39-year-old Dmitry Ivanchenko for Assault 2nd Degree and Obstructing Law Enforcement. Ivanchenko, a convicted felon on probation, violently fought with deputies and the K9 who found him hiding in a utility trailer covered with garbage bags and trash. With the level of force used to take Ivanchenko into custody, the Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol has been enacted.
On November 26, 2016, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a report of a domestic violence incident involving an intoxicated male who had choked his juvenile brother-in-law at a residence located in the 8500 block of East Alki in Spokane Valley.
Deputies contacted the victim, his sister (suspect’s wife) and her young child who locked themselves in a vehicle parked in the driveway after fleeing from the suspect to call 911. Deputies were told Ivanchenko began choking the victim during an argument. The victim stated his airway was obstructed and he felt he would lose consciousness and feared for his life. Red marks consistent with strangulation were observed on the victim’s throat and the suspect’s wife confirmed the victim’s account of the assault.
Deputies gave several loud unanswered verbal commands from the front door of the residence advising Ivanchenko he was under arrest and to surrender. Dispatch advised responding deputies Ivanchenko was a convicted felon under Washington State Department of Corrections active supervision for Robbery and a violent offender with a lengthy criminal history. As additional units arrived, including a K9, additional announcements were made advising Ivanchenko a K9 would be used to locate him if he did not surrender but they went unanswered. The residence was searched but deputies did not locate Ivanchenko.
Deputies focused their attention on an unattached shop in the backyard. Again, deputies gave several announcements advising Ivanchenko he was under arrest and to surrender or a K9 would be used to locate him but Ivanchenko did not respond. The K9 was deployed and quickly began barking at a utility trailer full of boxes and garbage bags. Deputies moved toward the trailer while continuing to give commands to surrender. Ivanchenko continued to hide, ignore commands and failed to surrender.
The K9 entered the trailer and quickly located Ivanchenko who immediately began yelling. Ivanchenko continued to resist arrest and began striking the K9 and pulling on the area around the K9’s eye as he continued to fight inside the rocking and unstable trailer. While attempting to gain compliance and take Ivanchenko into custody, deputies used force including strikes using a flashlight and a straight stick baton but Ivanchenko continued to fight. Ignoring deputies’ commands to stop fighting and show his hands, Ivanchenko jammed his hand into his pants pocket. Fearing Ivanchenko was attempting to access a weapon and that the deputy’s life, or the lives of the other deputies were in danger, a deputy drove the end of his straight stick baton into the suspect, making contact with Ivanchenko’s head.
Deputies were able to gain control and place Ivanchenko in custody. Ivanchenko was searched and found not to be in possession of a weapon. Medics were called to the scene to provide medical treatment for injuries to Ivanchenko’s leg and head.
Ivanchenko was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Initially it was believed he would be treated and released but has been held for observation since the incident. Ivanchenko will be transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail following his expected released from the hospital later this evening.
None of the deputies or the K9 were injured during the incident.
Due to the level of force used Major Crimes Detectives were called to the scene to investigate.
To ensure a complete and independent investigation, the Spokane Investigative Regional Response (SIRR) Team Officer Involved Protocol was enacted Wednesday afternoon. The SIRR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Spokane Police Department, the Washington State Patrol, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and Spokane Valley Police.
• The Spokane Police Department is the managing agency in this incident. All future communications regarding this incident will be sent via the SIRR Team.
• Once the SIRR Team investigation is complete the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Per Spokane County Sheriff’s Office policy, the deputy involved was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.