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Incident
Detective Brian Orchard was shot and killed while conducting an undercover stakeout of two thieves wanted for the theft of a valuable gun collection at the 500 block of South Pine. The suspects had attempted to ransom the collection for $20,000. When the men pulled up to the surveillance area, Detective Orchard approached the car and identified himself. One of the occupants fired a shot from inside the car, striking Detective Orchard in the head. Both men were later arrested. Detective Orchard's killer was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His request for clemency was denied in 2011 and 2022. Detective Orchard was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Spokane Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Brian is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Detective Orchard gave the Spokane Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Spokane community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Brian Frederick Orchard served in the U.S. Army (1964â1968) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Spokane Police Department has lost 15 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Brian is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Brian is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Brian is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 1 officer at Spokane Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1886, with 2.
In 1983, 1 officer in WA was killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Brian was 38. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Spokane Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 43.5. Brian had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 17.4 years.
Brian was 38. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Brian had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Brian was 38. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 20% of these deaths at Spokane Police Department; April holds the most, 20%. Wednesdays: 20%.
July holds 10.7% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Wednesdays: 15%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 15 deaths at Spokane Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Spokane Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Brian among them.
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Robert J. Rusk
Apr 22, 1886
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Ephraim John Hubbard
Sep 7, 1886
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Henry A. Stotko
Apr 4, 1905
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Alfred B. Waterbury
Oct 28, 1909
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John T. Sullivan
Jan 7, 1911
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Fred Arthur Wilson Goddard
Mar 5, 1913
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Michael F. Tynan
Jun 24, 1916
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William D. Nelson
Mar 19, 1920
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Frederick A. Germain
Jul 21, 1922
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Roy Fordyce
Nov 13, 1929
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John Henry Miller
Feb 12, 1939
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George P. Lancaster
Nov 18, 1943
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Brian Frederick Orchard
Jul 20, 1983
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Robbin B. Best
Feb 13, 1987
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Jon David Anderson
Jul 5, 2019
Where
Military Service
Brian Frederick Orchard served in the U.S. Army (1964–1968) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Brian Frederick Orchard’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Spokane Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
