OLYMPIA—For their ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty or for their distinguished exceptional meritorious conduct, 22 law enforcement officers were recognized on Friday, May 3, at the 2024 Peace Officers Memorial and Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony.
“I want to say thanks for just being there in those moments of extreme danger and crisis and be willing to sacrifice everything that you have in order to help keep all of our communities safe,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson told attendees.
During the ceremony, the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Committee awarded 19 law enforcement officers from eight different agencies with the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the highest award afforded to law enforcement officers in the State of Washington. It is awarded to officers who, while in the performance of their duties, were killed, seriously injured, or distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct.
The Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial Committee also recognized three law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. The three officers’ names will be etched on the Washington State Peace Officers Memorial in the state capital’s campus in Olympia.
The committees, which are comprised of law enforcement officers from throughout the state, represent the Washington State Office of the Attorney General and the Behind the Badge Foundation.
In 1962, President John F Kennedy signed a bill into law proclaiming May 15 as Peace Officer Memorial Day.
During Friday’s ceremony, Governor Jay Inslee, whose cousin’s name, Pierce County Deputy Dominique “Dom” Calata, is etched on the wall of the Washington State Peace Officers Memorial, read a proclamation recognizing the difficulties and dedication of law enforcement officers and declared May 12-18, 2024, as Law Enforcement Recognition Week in Washington state.
WHEREAS, law enforcement officers are the first line of defense against crime and
WHEREAS, law enforcement officers are the first line of defense against crime; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement officers throughout the state, conduct themselves in a manner that supports, maintains, and defends the constitutions of the State of Washington in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the law enforcement profession has become increasingly more complex, posing greater challenges, and requiring officers to serve additional hours above and beyond their regular duties; and
WHEREAS, numerous law enforcement officers, while performing their duties, have risked their own lives to save the lives of others, distinguishing themselves with exceptionally meritorious conduct; and
WHEREAS, the protection of people in our state in the fight against crime is a 24-hour endeavor exposing our law enforcement professionals to serious danger in placing their lives in jeopardy; and
WHEREAS, since 1889, Washington State, more than 300 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty;
NOW THEREFORE, I Jay Inslee, Governor of the State of Washington, do hereby proclaim May 12-18, 2024, as Law Enforcement Recognition Week in Washington, and I urge all people in our state to join me in this special observance.
Medal of Honor recipients
Date of incident: 6/6/2022
Bellevue Police Department
- Officer Kealii Akahane – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
- Officer Caleb Worthington – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
- Officer Jeff Sebers – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
A young person attempted to end his life by jumping into Phantom Lake with a 50 lb. barbell in his backpack. Officer Akahane entered the lake to search for the subject and bring him to the surface. Officers Worthington and Sebers put themselves at risk assisting the subject and Officer Akahane out of the water. Officers performed CPR on the subject until EMS personnel arrived. The subject survived the incident.
Date of incident: 3/24/2023
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
- Detective Kenton Childers – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
Pasco Police Department
- Officer Philip Hanks – Serious Bodily Injury while performing duty
Pasco Police Officer Hanks responded to investigate a report of a suspicious vehicle at a gas station. As Officer Hanks approached the vehicle on foot he was fired upon by an armed suspect inside the vehicle. Officer Hanks was gravely injured with a severe injury to his upper left arm. The suspect then fled in the vehicle, pursued by law enforcement. Benton County Detective Childers placed his vehicle in the path of the suspect and halted his flight. When the suspect raised a rifle toward Det. Childers, Det. Childers used lethal force to stop the suspect’s threat to himself and others.
Date of incident: 6/17/2023
Moses Lake Police Department
- Detective Edgar Salazar – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
- Detective Curt Ledeboer – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
- Corporal Omar Ramirez – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
- Sergeant Kyle McCain – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
Grant County Sheriff’s Office
- Detective Korey Judkins – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
The listed law enforcement personnel were working an undercover detail at the Beyond Wonderland festival held at the Gorge concert venue. They were not wearing body armor. They responded on foot to an active shooter in the campground. As the neared the area of the suspect, the suspect was continuing to shoot, and had a female hostage who had been shot. The officers moved/crawled from about 150 yds. with little or no cover, sometimes with only grass for concealment. At about 70 yds. from the armed suspect, Detective Edgar used lethal force and stopped the attack. All of the officers put themselves at risk to prevent the further loss of life.
Date of incident: 1/24/2023
Puyallup Police Department
- Detective Greg Reiber – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
- Officer Patrick Thomson – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
- Officer Brian Sutphin – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
- Officer Andrew Bond – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
- Officer David Pollett – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
- Sergeant David Beerbower – Exceptional Meritorious Conduct
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department
- Deputy John Munson
The listed officers responded to a domestic violence call. As they attempted to communicate with the suspect to attempt him to exit the apartment, the suspect barricaded the door and refused to exit. A plan was set in place to force open the door. Det. Reiber used a breaching tool in an attempt to force open the door. After the first strike with the tool, the suspect fired a shotgun through the door. Det. Reiber was struck in the head and body with birdshot. The suspect fired additional rounds as the officers were backing out to a safer position. Officer Sutphin and Officer Thomson were both struck with birdshot. All of the officers on scene were at risk of being shot as they provided cover for each other from the suspect.
Date of incident: 2/1/2023
Yakima County Sheriff’s Office
- Deputy Jesus Silva
- Sergeant Brian Jackson
Both Dep. Silva and Sgt. Jackson responded to a vehicle accident. Upon arrival they found that one of the vehicles was engulfed in flames with a person pinned under the vehicle. The victim’s lower extremities were on fire. Both of them put themselves at risk to the heat of the fire and toxic fumes of the vehicle fire in their unsuccessful efforts to prevent the flames from spreading on the victim, and pull the victim from under the car. Sgt. Jackson used a patrol vehicle to move the vehicle a short distance enabling Deputy Silva to pull the victim away from the car. They were then able to both pull the victim a safe distance from the burning vehicle and render aid. Both Deputy Silva and Sergeant Jackson suffered from 2nd degree burns and smoke inhalation from their efforts to save the victim.
Peace Office Memorial Honorees
RAYMOND JOHN GUTIERREZ, Hanford Patrol, EOW October 3, 2021
Patrolman Gutierrez tragically passed away from complications of COVID-19, which he contracted while diligently performing his duties at Hanford Patrol.
Raymond J. Gutierrez, along with five colleagues, contracted COVID-19 while stationed at the radio dispatch center of Hanford Patrol on September 4, 2021. Unbeknownst to them, they were working in close proximity to an infected coworker in a small, enclosed room. Following his diagnosis, Ray was unable to work for several weeks, including a period of hospitalization, before ultimately succumbing to the illness on October 3.
Gutierrez was a well-respected and well-liked member of his team and a veteran. He is survived by his wife, four adult children, mother, five siblings, and five grandchildren.
WILLIAM H SMITH, Centralia Police Department, EOW December 23, 1910
Officer Smith of the Centralia Police Department tragically lost his life after being struck by a moving train.
On December 23, 1910, Centralia Patrolman William Smith was crossing multiple railroad tracks at a poorly lit crossing in the dead of night. According to reports, numerous train cars were in motion, complicating visibility and making it challenging to discern their directions. Witnesses, along with writings from news articles and a examination of the circumstances, suggest that the car which struck Patrolman Smith was backing up along its track at the time of impact. The incident left Smith fatally injured, requiring the rail car to be lifted off the tracks to extract his body. Despite the crossing’s reputation as hazardous, there was no night watchman present when Smith attempted to cross.
Reports state that Smith was the oldest officer in the department and one of the oldest in the state at the time of his death. The Tacoma Daily Register reported, “Smith was a veteran of the Civil War and was regarded as one of the nerviest men among officers of Lewis County. He was small in stature but of great physical strength and courage.”
He was survived by his wife and 20-year-old daughter.
WILLIAM M WILLIAMS SR, Tulalip Tribal Police Department, EOW July 15, 1965
Fish and Wildlife Officer William Williams Sr. was patrolling the Quil Ceda Creek on Tulalip lands when he went missing. He was found several days later, drowned.
Fisheries Patrolman William Williams Sr. tragically lost his life while carrying out his duties on July 15th, 1965. Assigned to patrol the Quil Ceda Creek near the I-5 bridge in Marysville, Officer Williams suffered an unknown incident that led to his drowning. His absence was noticed when his boat was discovered unoccupied near the bridge, prompting an extensive search effort. After days of searching, Officer Williams’ body was found to the west of the bridge. This devastating event deeply impacted not only his family but also his colleagues and the community he served, highlighting the risks and sacrifices associated with law enforcement duties. Officer Williams will be remembered for his dedication to his role as a Fisheries Patrolman and his commitment to protecting natural resources.
Patrolman Williams is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, eight grandchildren, and two brothers.
Author: Mario Lotmore
