Brian Frederick Orchard was a 38-year-old detective with the Spokane Police Department and a 15-year veteran when he was killed in the line of duty. On the evening of July 18, 1983, Detective Orchard took part in an undercover stakeout in downtown Spokane at 5th and Pine Street aimed at catching two people who had stolen a valuable gun collection and were attempting to ransom the firearms for $20,000. When the suspects arrived, Orchard and another officer approached their vehicle. As Orchard identified himself to the occupants, a single shot from inside the car struck him in the head. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and died of his wounds on July 20, 1983.

The suspects were arrested and tried; the man who fired the fatal shot was identified as Lonnie Link. Both were convicted of murder, and Link received a life sentence. Orchard left behind a wife and three children. Does anyone have memories of Detective Orchard or information about the case to share?