Kittitas Deputy Killed In Shootout Identified

KITTITAS, WA - A suspect opened fire on officers during a traffic stop in the city of Kittitas Tuesday night, killing a Kittitas County deputy and wounding a city of Kittitas officer. The suspect was also killed in the exchange.

The incident began Tuesday around 7:30 p.m. when a deputy responded to a reckless driving complaint southeast of Ellensburg in an area called Badger Pocket. The suspect drove away from officers when they attempted to stop him.

Police pursued the suspect north into the city of Kittitas. After reaching the end of a street, the suspect got out of his car and started shooting, according to the sheriff's office. The suspect died later at Kittitas Valley Hospital.

The deputy was identified as Ryan Thompson, 42, a married father of three. The Kittitas officer was identified as Benito Chavez, 22, who was hired by the department last summer.

The shooting happened on the anniversary of the death of King County deputy John Williams, who died in 1903. Williams died along with six other officers, including the Washington's game warden, during the pursuit of Harry Tracy, an outlaw who had escaped from a prison in Oregon.