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Incident
Officer Henry Stotko was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary on Post Street while walking home after his shift. The suspects shot him, causing paralysis, and then dragged his body behind some bushes. Before they fled, they took his badge from his chest and pinned it to the seat of his pants. The night watchman found him about an hour after the shooting. He was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The suspects were later apprehended. The shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was paroled on December 30, 1925. Officer Stotko had served with the Spokane Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Stotko gave the Spokane Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Spokane community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Stotko.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Spokane Police Department has lost 15 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Henry is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Henry is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1905, 1 officer at Spokane Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1886, with 2.
In 1905, 1 officer in WA was killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 42. 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. Henry had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 17.4 years.
Henry was 42. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Henry had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Henry was 42. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 42. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Spokane Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 20%.
April holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Tuesdays: 10.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
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 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 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, Henry 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
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.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Spokane Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
