Sheriff's sergeant killed while assisting traffic in Spokane County, WA

SPOKANE, Wash. - A sheriff's sergeant in eastern Washington was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, Aug. 9. 

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office confirmed the death of Sergeant Kenneth Salas on Saturday afternoon in a public statement and on their X account, formerly Twitter.

Spokane County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Kenneth Salas

The backstory:

The 59-year-old was killed by a motorist at around 7:40 a.m. while he was working to remove a bale of hay that had fallen off a vehicle and was endangering motorists along a stretch of eastbound I-90 near the Four Lakes exit.

According to the Washington State Patrol, a man did not obey or observe the patrol vehicles flashing lights and directional bar as he attempted to pass another vehicle on the left-hand side. At this point, he struck the sergeant, initial reports show.

Sergeant Salas spent 34 years in law enforcement and was promoted to sergeant back in 2009. 

Statement from the Spokane County Sheriff's Office on the passing of Sergeant Salas

What they're saying:

"He is survived by his wife and extended family members, who ask you to respect their privacy as they grieve this devastating loss.

Sergeant Salas proudly served the Citizens of Spokane County for over three decades.  He was not only a member of the Sheriff’s Office, he was also a valued and cherished member of our law enforcement family.

In addition to his law enforcement career, Sergeant Salas also served our Country for over two decades in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Technical Sergeant with the Washington State Air National Guard," the statement reads, in part. 

Law enforcement agencies confirm the Washington State Patrol is investigating the incident. 

The Renton Police Department has released a statement on Sunday on the passing of Sergeant Salas

"Our thoughts are with the Spokane County Sheriff's Department and Sgt. Kenneth Salas' family.  Sgt Salas was killed when a motorcyclist struck his vehicle as he was assisting a truck driver along I-90 on Saturday morning," read a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter).

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