Police officer honored for role in LC shooting

A Spokane police officer was awarded a Medal of Merit on Thursday for his role in the 2003 shooting at Lewis and Clark High School.

Sgt. Dennis Walter took it upon himself to learn about a new response to an “active shooter” situation in the wake of the school shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado, said Dick Cottam, police spokesman, said in a press release.

For the past three years, Walter has taught techniques to officers in training throughout the region. The new techniques are considered more aggressive and more dangerous for the officers, Cottam said.

When the incident at Lewis and Clark happened in 2003, personnel immediately arrived and responded as they were trained, Cottam said. Sean Fitzpatrick, who was 16 at the time, was shot by officers after an armed standoff at the school. Fitzpatrick was critically injured, but he survived. No one else was injured.

“The successful resolution of the L.C. incident would not have been possible without Sgt. Walters’ tremendous contribution,” Cottam said.