Detective Sergeant Samuel A. Hicks

Samuel A. Hicks

Sergeant Samuel Hicks was shot and killed by a murder suspect in the driveway of a dairy farm adjacent to the Flaming Geyser State Park, in a rural area of King County, east of Seattle.

Sergeant Hicks and another investigator had gone to the location to verify the accuracy of a tip given to them in a murder investigation. While at the scene, they encountered the suspect while driving down a long, wooded driveway.

The suspect opened fire on their patrol car with a high-powered rifle. As the officers returned fire and attempted to locate cover, Sergeant Hicks was struck in the chest and killed.

The suspect, 29, was taken into custody following the incident. He was a convicted felon who was on parole, despite two parole violations. He and his cousin were wanted in Seattle for robbing and murdering a man a week earlier. He was convicted of murdering Sergeant Hicks and sentenced to life without parole. As of July 20, 2022, he was in prison.

Sergeant Hicks had served with the King County Sheriff's Office for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and six children.