Deputy Game Warden Edward Jarisch

Edward Jarisch

Deputy Game Warden Edward Jarisch was shot and killed after confronting two poachers who were hunting deer near Scotia, Washington.

During the confrontation, one of the suspects pointed his rifle at Warden Jarisch, threatening him. Warden Jarisch decided to arrest at a later date and began to leave the area. As he walked away, the suspect shot him in the back of the neck, severing his spinal cord. The two men were later arrested at their father's farm.

Ten days later, a coroner's jury rendered a verdict that Warden Jarisch came to his death from a gunshot wound caused by a person or persons unknown, even though a suspect claimed the shooting was an accident. He said he was shooting near Warden Jarisch in an effort to scare him away and did not mean to shoot him.

The suspect pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 2-20 years in prison. He was paroled on March 5, 1929.

Warden Jarisch had served with the Pend Oreille County Game Commission for three years. He was survived by his wife and three brothers.