The name of the Spokane Police officer involved in the Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) from January 7, 2019 in the 600 block of Montgomery is being released. Officer Brandon Rankin fired his weapon in the OIS.
Officer Brandon Rankin was hired by the Spokane Police Department (SPD) in May of 2015. In September of 2017, he earned the Chief’s Citation Award as part of the Enhancing the Survival Mindset program.
Officer Rankin is a 2007 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.
In 2007 he entered service into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Aviation Branch. After graduating from flight school in 2009 he served as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot in Fairbanks, Alaska. While in Alaska, Officer Rankin earned the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal for his actions as a Company Commander and flight missions that included firefighting operations as the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline was threatened by wildfire.
Officer Rankin deployed to the Persian Gulf in 2014 serving on the U.S. Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson and French Aircraft Carrier CDG Charles De Gaulle in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He earned another Army Meritorious Service Medal for his efforts in the fight against ISIS during this operation. He separated from service with the United States Army at the rank of Captain and was honorably discharged in 2015.
Officer Rankin received several military awards and decorations to include: the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Medal x 2, Army Aviator Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Gold German Armed Forces for Military Proficiency Badge.