In the late summer of 1986, the life of a dedicated law enforcement officer, Louis Millard, a 31-year-old White / Caucasian male, was tragically cut short in the line of duty. On the night of August 27, 1986, Sergeant Millard of the Colville Tribal Police Department was involved in the pursuit of a man who had escaped from police custody earlier that evening near Nespelem, Washington.
The initial arrest had been made, but the suspect feigned chest pains, leading to a hospital visit from which he managed to escape with the help of his son.
The father and son duo fled in a vehicle, but the chase came to an end when their vehicle crashed. They continued their flight on foot, carrying a bag of weapons to their home. An officer who had been stationed to watch the residence saw them approach and called for backup. Sergeant Millard was among the officers who responded to the call. As law enforcement approached the house, they were ambushed by the two suspects who had concealed themselves behind a chicken coop. The assailants used flares to illuminate the area before opening fire on the officers.
In the ensuing chaos, Sergeant Millard was struck in the chest by a 9 mm bullet in an area not protected by his vest. Another officer was also hit in the back. Despite the valiant efforts of his fellow officer to pull him out of the line of fire, medical aid could not reach Sergeant Millard in time, and he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The father, who had been wounded in the gunfight, was apprehended that night. His son was captured two days later following a thorough search of the area.
The two men, identified as Patrick Gene Hoffman and his father, Elmer Edward McGinnis, were subsequently charged with aggravated first-degree murder and assault. The investigation revealed that their violent actions were a deliberate attempt to evade arrest and prosecution for prior offenses. Following a trial, both father and son were found guilty of their crimes and received sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
