Spokane police probe Terrace View Park attack
SPOKANE VALLEY – The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputy who roughed up a Colfax man on Aug. 14, 2023, may be charged in the case.
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Spokane Police Department determined there is probable cause to charge Sgt. Clay V. Hilton with second-degree assault.
“The case has been forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review,” Spokane County Sheriff John F. Nowels said in a press release following the conclusion of the independent police investigation.
Hilton is accused of beating Kevin Hinton, 62, of Colfax, near Terrace View Park in Spokane Valley, records show.
Hinton sustained eight broken ribs and a punctured lung during the deputy’s attack on him. He also had teeth knocked out.
Records show Hinton was on his way home to Colfax, but was too tired to continue his drive. After driving 11 hours, he stopped for a rest near the park, his attorney Tim Note said shortly after the incident.
After about an hour being parked outside the Terrace View gate, Hinton was approached by Sgt. Hilton, who lives across the street from the park, records show.
The altercation was captured by the officer’s body camera.
Hilton suggested Hinton was committing a crime by being in the park after dark. The video footage shows Hinton offered to move his car to a different location.
In the recording, Sgt. Hilton is heard saying, “Why are you putting your shoes on… You’re not going anywhere.”
The sergeant asked for identification; Hinton refused, the camera footage shows.
“You’re refusing to tell me who you are,” Hilton replied. “And you’re probably going to end up going to jail.”
“Oh, for not giving you my name,” Hinton said. “Then you have at it.”
Hilton asked Hinton to stand up; the video shows he complied.
Hilton also told Hinton to turn and face the car, but the video shows the sergeant grabbed Hinton by the collar before he could turn around.
“Don’t put your hands on me, pal,” Hinton said in the recording. “You are going to get hurt,” Hilton then said.
The footage then shows Hilton forcefully taking Hinton to the ground, where he was punched and kicked multiple times.
The video also shows that Sgt. Hilton was not initially wearing gloves, but at some point put them on as the situation escalated.
After being struck multiple times, Hinton can be heard asking why he was hit, and Hilton said, “Because you weren’t listening,” the footage shows.
Note said his client was not in violation of any law.
According to Note, a municipal law states that sitting at a park after hours is only a Class 3 infraction with a maximum penalty of a $50 fine.
Arrests are not allowed for such a small infraction, he said.
Note also questions whether his client was actually in the park, as Hinton was not inside the fence line.
Sheriff Nowels said he doesn’t take the incident lightly.
“I know and understand misconduct allegations are of great concern to our community,” Nowels said. “I assure you that claims of misconduct are, and will be, taken seriously. That’s why I requested the Spokane Police Department investigate this incident independently.”
Nowels said Sgt. Hilton has been on paid administrative leave since Sept. 30 and that he has “ordered the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards to begin a comprehensive internal investigation to identify any and all policy violations and what changes or possible training is needed moving forward.”
Hilton will remain on paid administrative leave until the internal investigation is completed.
“I again ask you, the community we serve, for your patience as this continues through the criminal justice system and our internal investigations process,” he said. “We must ensure the rights of everyone involved are protected while resisting the urge to rush toward judgment.”
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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