Both officers remain on critical incident leave

The Vancouver Police Department officers involved in a shooting on June 8 have been identified.

The involved and witness officers are being identified by the Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT). Both officers remain on critical incident leave.

• The involved officer is Officer Brandon Riedel. Officer Riedel was hired by the Vancouver Police Department in July 2018. He is assigned to West Patrol. Additionally, he serves a collateral assignment as a member of the SW Washington Regional SWAT Team as a Tactical Emergency Medical Support Medic.
• The witness officer is Officer Stuart Drynan. Officer Drynan was hired by the Vancouver Police Department in January 2023. He is assigned to West Patrol.

The name of the decedent in the incident has been identified by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office as 43-year-old Vancouver resident Vadim V. Sashchenko, who died from multiple gunshot wounds of the torso.

On Saturday (June 8) at about 1:45 p.m., Vancouver Police were dispatched to the 100 block of SE Columbia Way by the report of a male, now identified as Sashchenko, who had an aggressive German Shepherd that was reported to be running loose and had bitten at least one person. Sashchenko was also described as having a firearm. 

According to the caller, Sashchenko was walking westbound on the trail near the river. At about 2:59 p.m., Vancouver Police located him and his dog in the area of Columbia Street/Columbia Way and observed the dog attempt to bite a person. 

According to a report from Vancouver Police, as the officers approached, Sashchenko displayed what appeared to be a firearm, and pointed it at one of the officers. An officer discharged his firearm, striking Sashchenko. Officers rendered emergency medical aid to Sashchenko, however he was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The German Shepherd remained aggressive toward responding emergency personnel and was eventually secured to a dumpster to prevent any further injuries from the dog. 

SWIIRT is conducting the Independent Investigation, in accordance with WAC 139-12-030 and CJTC Best Practices, of the Vancouver Police Department’s (VPD) officer-involved shooting (OIS) that occurred on June 8. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from the Camas Police Department and the Battle Ground Police Department. 

On the date of the incident, investigators completed scene documentation and evidence collection. They also have interviewed available witnesses and completed a canvass for area video evidence. Investigators are requesting anyone who witnessed the shooting incident and has not been contacted by detectives to call them at (564) 397-2847.

Investigators are now in the process of receiving and reviewing Body Worn Camera (BWC) video files and statements from the involved officers. Search warrants for additional digital evidence are also being pursued.

Per WAC 139-12-030, which governs independent investigations, additional updates will be provided weekly.

Information provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Vancouver Police Department.