Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, joins Spokane’s legal community, law enforcement, and the Hyslop family in mourning the passing of former U.S. Attorney William D. Hyslop. who died on. September 11, 2022. Mr. Hyslop is the only person to serve two separate terms as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush. 28 years later, Mr. Hyslop has been reappointed to lead the US Attorney’s office, serving until early 2021.
Mr. Hyslop grew up in Spokane and has devoted significant time to the Spokane community. He attended Shadle Park High School, graduated from Washington State University, and attended Gonzaga Law School. His volunteer work includes, among other things, serving as the leader of the Lewis and Clark school reform effort and as vice chairman of the Commission on the Use of Strength, which was established to implement changes to the training of rod and working order.
For more than 40 years, Mr. Hyslop has practiced law in Washington state, serving as president of the Washington State Bar Association and as a principle at the Spokane law firm of Lukins & Annis. While Mr. Hyslop thoroughly enjoyed his career in private practice, stating that “serving our great country as a United States Attorney has been the greatest honor and fulfillment of my professional duties.”
U.S. Attorney Waldref, who succeeded Mr. Hyslop as the top federal prosecutor in Eastern Washington, said, “We are saddened to learn of Bill’s passing, and our hearts go out to his wife, two children, and grandchildren. Bill is a lifelong friend of the United States Attorney’s Office and a dedicated public servant. I am honored to serve with Bill, and am impressed by his passion for serving the Spokane community. He will be greatly missed.”
Timothy J. Ohms, an Assistant United States Attorney who served under Mr. Hyslop, expressed his appreciation for Mr. Hyslop’s leadership: “Bill truly loved being a lawyer. He was passionate about law and government work. I had the privilege of serving with Bill when he was the new U.S. Attorney in the early 1990s and when Bill was reappointed in 2019. Bill was a thoughtful leader, who sought to get the best results in every case.”
Earl A. Hicks, who served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Spokane for over four decades, said, “It has been an honor to work with Bill in all of his appointments as Chief Legal Officer at East. He was a strong leader, who dedicated his career to serving others. Bill excels in working with law enforcement – bringing together federal, state, tribal, and local leaders to solve difficult problems and working closely with law enforcement to keep Eastern Washington safe. Surely our nation will mourn his loss.”
During the resignation of Mr. Hyslop as U.S. Attorney in 2021, Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl said, “U.S. Attorney Hyslop has been a constant partner with SPD in our efforts to keep Spokane a safe community where we want to live and raise families. His partnership with local law enforcement, and his commitment to safety first through prevention, education and enforcement, is second to none. We respect his determination to do justice through empathy and trust, with the needs of the community as his priority.” Upon receiving the news of Mr. Hyslop’s death, Chief Meidl added, “Bill was thoughtful and thoughtful in his approach to community health, an issue close to his heart.” He has partnered with the Spokane Police Department on various programs, including fentanyl awareness and community engagement. He was a mentor and friend, and his death will leave a void that cannot be filled. I will miss him very much.”
In February 2021, as he completed his term as U.S. Attorney, Mr. Hyslop said, “I intend to work until my last day on behalf of the people of Eastern Washington.” He then added, “I want to continue to do everything I can to support the security forces and the hard work they do every day to keep us safe.” Mr. Hyslop was true to his word. Following his service as State Attorney, Mr. Hyslop became a founding board member of the Spokane Alliance for Fentanyl Education (“SAFE”). In his role at SAFE, Mr. Hyslop continues to work closely with state and federal law enforcement to help the community better understand the importance and dangers of fentanyl in Eastern Washington.
Mr. Hyslop will be greatly missed by law enforcement, especially those in the United States Attorney’s office, who have worked with Mr. Hyslop in various capacities over the past three decades.
