Deputies Northway and Spink ‘In Good Spirits’ At Sacred Heart - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

SPOKANE, Wash. - Two days after they were shot by career criminal, Charles Wallace, Spokane County Sheriff Deputies Mike Northway and Matt Spink remain at Sacred Heart Medical Center in stable condition. 

Their friend and co-worker, Deputy Craig Chamberlin, has known them for 13 years.  He's been in touch with them every day, and tells KHQ both men are in ‘good spirits' and are trying to get some much-deserved rest right now. 

There has been a huge outpouring of community support, and cards and flowers are now filling their hospital rooms. 

Matt Spink, 45, was shot once in the leg as the deputies approached Wallace's car in north Spokane Tuesday afternoon.  But Mike Northway, 42, took four bullets – one in each arm and leg.  The most serious injury was to the artery in his left arm, where a 3-inch section was blown away.  Northway was in surgery again today, and is expected to have to undergo more procedures in the future.

Chamberlin says Spink and Northway are fun guys to work with; they're practical jokers, and there are a lot of laughs.  But when it gets down to business, they're two of the best officers in the profession, and it was terrifying to hear they'd been shot.

"You hear a call like that come out, you hear your friends, you hear what's going on in their voice, and you know exactly what's taking place," Chamberlin told KHQ.  "It's the absolute worst sound, as a police officer, the worst thing on the radio you could possibly hear."

He adds his heart goes out to his two friends and their families.  Deputies Spink and Northway worked the ‘short north' area, as it's called, for the last six years together.  They – and the rest of their platoon – are very close, and the two are a huge asset to the team.

"Both Matt and Mike, if there's anyone you're interested in, in north Spokane County, they'll know them by name, they'll know their birthdates, they'll know who they hang out with, they'll know the last three places they lived," Chamberlin said.  "As far as that goes, they're amazing, they're such a valuable asset, they're like sponges."

There is still no word on when either man may be released from the hospital. 

While well-wishes continue to pour in, their team at the Spokane County Sheriff's Office is hoping they'll be back to work, patrolling the ‘short north' quickly.