Killer Cop Saluted By Fellow Police

A federal judge in Yakima ordered Spokane Police Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. taken into custody this morning following his conviction on charges of using excessive force and lying to investigators.

Some three dozen Spokane Police officers and other supporters stood when someone yelled “Present Arms” and saluted Thompson as he was led away by U.S. Marshals without being handcuffed.

As the crowd saluted in unison, attorney Jeffry Finer turned and apologized to the family of Otto Zehm, who died after a violent confrontation with Thompson and other officers in a North Spokane convenience store in 2006. Finer is representing Zehm’s family in a companion civil suit.

“The salute was meant to be respectful,” Finer said. “But it seemed to be given with no thought of the victim’s family seated inches away.”

U.S. Magistrate Judge James Hutton said he wasn’t persuaded that Thompson would be granted a new trial based on allegations by his defense attorney that the lawyer witnessed jurors watching TV reports of the trial while it was under way.

Thompson was convicted this week in connection with the March 18, 2006, confrontation inside the Zip Trip at 1712 N. Division St. After suffering multiple baton strikes and four Taser shocks, Zehm stopped breathing. He died two days later.

The courtroom in Spokane, where Hutton’s ruling was being shown via video feed, was packed with police officers, who all stood when Thompson entered the room. Several of them turned away, showing their backs as U.S. Marshals discussed with Thompson how he would be taken into custody.

The crowd included Detective Larry Bowman and Officer Terry Preuninger who testified in support of Thompson. Preuninger left the courtroom with tears in his eyes and was among several people — including Thompson’s family — who were crying at the end of the hearing.

Preuninger respectfully declined to comment, saying it would not be appropriate because the civil case was still pending and because he was a witness in the criminal case.

Finer said the show of support indicates that Spokane has a long way to go before law enforcement understands the perspective of the victim’s family.

“They didn’t salute Otto. They didn’t grieve Otto,” Finer said. “As before, his voice and options have not been taken into account by a significant portion of our law enforcement. Healing starts with recognition.”