Identities of deputy and man killed after chase made public

After a car chase Sunday night, a Spokane County deputy shot and killed a man suspected of driving recklessly, crashing into parked cars and speeding toward officers.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner confirmed the victim as Nicholas Cory Kausshen, 41.

Deputy Thomas Walton shot Kausshen at Sprague Avenue and University Road in Spokane Valley, according to a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Walton was placed on administrative leave, which is standard for officers who use lethal force, along with two other deputies who have yet to be named.

Walton joined the sheriff’s office in September of 2017 as a Lateral Deputy. He is currently a Field Training Officer, a Reality Based Training instructor and a member of the SWAT Team, according to the release.

Before becoming a Spokane County deputy, Walton worked at Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in California.

Michael Kausshen told KHQ his nephew could have handled the situation better, but said deputies also could have done their job without killing him.

“Could they have wounded him, yes, they didn’t have to kill him,” he said.

The Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team (SIIR Team) is investigating the shooting, with the Spokane Police Department taking the lead, according to a news release.

The Washington State Patrol is assisting Spokane police.