June 8, 2022 2:30 p.m.
On Tuesday. a Douglas County Grand Jury found that an officer involved fatal shooting in May was justified.
Wednesday morning, District Attorney Rick Wesenberg and Sheriff John Hanlin met with local media to provide an update on the events of Wednesday May 25th. Wesenberg said that morning just after 7:50 a.m. the wife of 60-year old Spencer Heckathorne called 911 and said he was acting delusional and making threats at their home in the 600 block of Weaver Road near Myrtle Creek. The woman said Heckathorne had shot flames in her direction from a butane lighter and had threatened to kill her before she was able to run away.
Wesenberg said a short time later, Heckathorne left the recreational vehicle that served as their home, and took off in his van at a very high rate of speed. A few minutes after that Heckathorne called his wife asking about how many law enforcement officers were there, and saying he would not be taken alive. A deputy eventually talked via phone with Heckathorne who said he was experiencing a mental health crisis.
In an effort to get the man to calm down, deputies left the area for a time. Wesenberg said Heckathorne was on federal parole and between 1980 and 1992 had been convicted of three counts of assault and one count of manslaughter. Wesenberg termed the suspect as “extremely dangerous”.
Just after 10:00 a.m. Heckathorne returned to the couple’s home though his wife was locked inside the RV. Wesenberg said as other deputies arrived, one parked in a way that blocked the man’s exit from that area. Heckathorne’s van headed towards the deputies, striking two of the patrol vehicles. Heckathorne headed towards a third patrol vehicle, but ended up partially in a nearby ditch, next to it.
Wesenberg said that deputy perceived the danger he was in and drew his duty weapon. Heckathorne charged at the deputy with a primal growl of rage, using obscenities as he lunged at the deputy’s firearm. Wesenberg said the deputy had no choice and shot Heckathorne one time in the heart. Though CPR was attempted, the man was declared deceased at the scene. Wesenberg said Heckathorne had multiple weapons with him. The D.A. praised the “professionalism, skill and restraint” used by the officers.
Sheriff John Hanlin said the deputy involved in the shooting, identified as Brian Melvin, has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting, received counseling, and is expected to return to his duties soon.
Hear the entire press conference via the DCSO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCoSO