The Department of Social and Health Services thanks members of the Lakewood Police Department, Des Moines Police Department, Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals and others who acted swiftly to capture two patients who escaped Wednesday evening from Western State Hospital.
“Specifically, we also want to thank Chief Mike Zaro and his staff at the Lakewood Police Department for their partnership and ongoing support to help us balance the need to operate the hospital and provide treatment for mental illness without violating the civil rights of patients, while keeping the community, staff and patients safe. The balance of those requirements in a psychiatric therapeutic setting is difficult and benefits from the experts in each of those areas,” said Carla Reyes, assistant secretary for DSHS Behavioral Health Administration.
“The Washington State Patrol, U.S. Marshall and Spokane County Sheriff teamed up to locate the patient that was still at large. Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and his deputies did a remarkable job of apprehending the patient without incident and we thank them for their successful efforts,” she said. “We look forward to continuing the dialogue with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and will be extending an invitation for them to join us in reviewing security at Eastern State Hospital and implementing improvements wherever possible.”