Recipients 2017

On November 30, 2016, Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez and his partner Erika Haberzettl responded to a verbal disturbance call.  They were met by a distraught woman who told them that her husband had taken her cellphone and locked her out of the house.  The officers tried to make contact with the subject at the residence, but were unsuccessful.  The officers then attempted to take the woman to a relative’s home, but were unable to locate a good address. The officers returned back to the woman’s home in hopes of contacting the husband and facilitating a welfare check on the two children left inside the residence. Still unable to gain access, the officers contacted the victim’s landlord who met them at the house with a key.  The landlord opened the front door and announced her presence and told the husband that the police were with her and he responded by asking why. Officer Gutierrez walked up the stairs to make contact with the subject who responded in a compliant tone. Immediately upon stepping up to the second floor landing, Officer Haberzettl heard four gunshots and saw Officer Gutierrez immediately fall down. Officer Haberzettl and the suspect’s wife were able to quickly exit the house where Officer Haberzettl called for priority and immediate back-up. Additional law enforcement units arrived and Police Sergeant David Johnson with Pierce County Deputy John Munson formulated a rescue plan to extract Officer Gutierrez from the residence.  During this time, additional shots were fired by the suspect from inside the house.  Officer Dean Waubanascum retrieved a battering ram from his car and joined the rescue team along with Sergeant Barry Paris, Officers Shane Wimbles, and Dan Bortle. The officers approached the front door and realized that there was not enough room to utilize the battering ram.  Sergeant Paul Jagodinski moved to the rear deck where he could see through a window that the front door was barricaded with a chair.  With that information, the rescue team moved to the rear upper deck of the house towards a sliding glass door. The rescue team entered the home and placed themselves between the suspect and Officer Gutierrez. Several officers maintained tactical cover of the team as they maneuvered inside the residence. Sergeant Johnson, Deputy Munson, and Officer Waubanascum grabbed Officer Gutierrez and dragged him out of the house. Sergeant Paris, Sergeant Jagodinski, Officer Wimble, Officer Brian Kelly, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Shaw provided cover. Once Officer Gutierrez was removed from the house, the cover team remained in the house in an effort to rescue the two children who were still inside the home. All of these officers worked as a team to accomplish the mission despite grave danger to themselves. Officer Gutierrez was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead after several hours of surgery.

In March 1854 William Young and William Renton hired two members of the Snohomish Tribe to take them north to locate a claim.  The men went missing and the guides were seen with their personal property.

Believing the men met foul play, King County Sheriff Thomas Russell organized a posse.  Dr. Wesley Cherry was deputized as a member of the posse.  They tracked them to Whidbey Island where a gunfight ensued.  Several members of the posse were wounded, including Sheriff Russell and Dr. Cherry.

Cherry was taken back to Seattle, where he later died.

Wesley Cherry is recognized as the first law enforcement officer to be killed in the line of duty in Washington.

His medal will be given to the King County Sheriff’s Office.

On December 15, 2016, Mount Vernon Police responded to a local hospital after the victim of a shooting arrived there.  A K-9 track led the officers to the scene. Officers from several jurisdictions responded to contain the house.

Officer McClaughry, was one of several officers to approach the front door of the residence.  Several shots were fired from inside the house.  One round struck Officer McClaughry in the head.

Officers Green, Paul, and Payne dragged McClaughry from the front of the house.  All the while, shots were still being fired from inside.  The officers were completely exposed.  Sergeant Lindberg and Officer Wayne laid down suppression fire so that McClaughry could be removed without being fired upon.

Sergeant Don drove his car to the front of the house in the line of fire.  McClaughry was placed in his car.  Don drove the officer to an awaiting ambulance.

McClaughry was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.  Despite his severe injuries, he survived.

On December 15, 2016, Mount Vernon Police responded to a local hospital after the victim of a shooting arrived there.  A K-9 track led the officers to the scene. Officers from several jurisdictions responded to contain the house.  Several shots were fired from inside the house.  One round struck Officer McClaughry in the head. Officers Green, Paul, and Payne dragged McClaughry from the front of the house.  All the while, shots were still being fired from inside.  The officers were completely exposed.  Sergeant Lindberg and Officer Wayne laid down suppression fire so that McClaughry could be removed without being fired upon. Sergeant Don drove his car to the front of the house in the line of fire.  McClaughry was placed in his car.  Don drove the officer to an awaiting ambulance. McClaughry was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.  Despite his severe injuries, he survived

On December 15, 2016, Mount Vernon Police responded to a local hospital after the victim of a shooting arrived there.  A K-9 track led the officers to the scene. Officers from several jurisdictions responded to contain the house.  Several shots were fired from inside the house.  One round struck Officer McClaughry in the head. Officers Green, Paul, and Payne dragged McClaughry from the front of the house.  All the while, shots were still being fired from inside.  The officers were completely exposed.  Sergeant Lindberg and Officer Wayne laid down suppression fire so that McClaughry could be removed without being fired upon. Sergeant Don drove his car to the front of the house in the line of fire.  McClaughry was placed in his car.  Don drove the officer to an awaiting ambulance. McClaughry was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.  Despite his severe injuries, he survived

On December 15, 2016, Mount Vernon Police responded to a local hospital after the victim of a shooting arrived there.  A K-9 track led the officers to the scene. Officers from several jurisdictions responded to contain the house.  Several shots were fired from inside the house.  One round struck Officer McClaughry in the head. Officers Green, Paul, and Payne dragged McClaughry from the front of the house.  All the while, shots were still being fired from inside.  The officers were completely exposed.  Sergeant Lindberg and Officer Wayne laid down suppression fire so that McClaughry could be removed without being fired upon. Sergeant Don drove his car to the front of the house in the line of fire.  McClaughry was placed in his car.  Don drove the officer to an awaiting ambulance. McClaughry was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.  Despite his severe injuries, he survived

On December 15, 2016, Mount Vernon Police responded to a local hospital after the victim of a shooting arrived there.  A K-9 track led the officers to the scene. Officers from several jurisdictions responded to contain the house. Officer Paul was one of several officers to approach the front door of the residence.  Several shots were fired from inside the house.  One round struck Officer McClaughry in the head. Officers Green, Paul, and Payne dragged McClaughry from the front of the house.  All the while, shots were still being fired from inside.  The officers were completely exposed.  Sergeant Lindberg and Officer Wayne laid down suppression fire so that McClaughry could be removed without being fired upon. Sergeant Don drove his car to the front of the house in the line of fire.  McClaughry was placed in his car.  Don drove the officer to an awaiting ambulance. McClaughry was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.  Despite his severe injuries, he survived.

On December 15, 2016, Mount Vernon Police responded to a local hospital after the victim of a shooting arrived there.  A K-9 track led the officers to the scene. Officers from several jurisdictions responded to contain the house.  Several shots were fired from inside the house.  One round struck Officer McClaughry in the head. Officers Green, Paul, and Payne dragged McClaughry from the front of the house.  All the while, shots were still being fired from inside.  The officers were completely exposed.  Sergeant Lindberg and Officer Wayne laid down suppression fire so that McClaughry could be removed without being fired upon. Sergeant Don drove his car to the front of the house in the line of fire.  McClaughry was placed in his car.  Don drove the officer to an awaiting ambulance. McClaughry was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.  Despite his severe injuries, he survived

On November 30, 2016, Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez and his partner Erika Haberzettl responded to a verbal disturbance call.  They were met by a distraught woman who told them that her husband had taken her cellphone and locked her out of the house.  The officers tried to make contact with the subject at the residence, but were unsuccessful.  The officers then attempted to take the woman to a relative’s home, but were unable to locate a good address. The officers returned back to the woman’s home in hopes of contacting the husband and facilitating a welfare check on the two children left inside the residence. Still unable to gain access, the officers contacted the victim’s landlord who met them at the house with a key.  The landlord opened the front door and announced her presence and told the husband that the police were with her and he responded by asking why. Officer Gutierrez walked up the stairs to make contact with the subject who responded in a compliant tone. Immediately upon stepping up to the second floor landing, Officer Haberzettl heard four gunshots and saw Officer Gutierrez immediately fall down. Officer Haberzettl and the suspect’s wife were able to quickly exit the house where Officer Haberzettl called for priority and immediate back-up. Additional law enforcement units arrived and Police Sergeant David Johnson with Pierce County Deputy John Munson formulated a rescue plan to extract Officer Gutierrez from the residence.  During this time, additional shots were fired by the suspect from inside the house.  Officer Dean Waubanascum retrieved a battering ram from his car and joined the rescue team along with Sergeant Barry Paris, Officers Shane Wimbles, and Dan Bortle. The officers approached the front door and realized that there was not enough room to utilize the battering ram.  Sergeant Paul Jagodinski moved to the rear deck where he could see through a window that the front door was barricaded with a chair.  With that information, the rescue team moved to the rear upper deck of the house towards a sliding glass door. The rescue team entered the home and placed themselves between the suspect and Officer Gutierrez. Several officers maintained tactical cover of the team as they maneuvered inside the residence. Sergeant Johnson, Deputy Munson, and Officer Waubanascum grabbed Officer Gutierrez and dragged him out of the house. Sergeant Paris, Sergeant Jagodinski, Officer Wimble, Officer Brian Kelly, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Shaw provided cover. Once Officer Gutierrez was removed from the house, the cover team remained in the house in an effort to rescue the two children who were still inside the home. All of these officers worked as a team to accomplish the mission despite grave danger to themselves. Officer Gutierrez was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead after several hours of surgery.

On November 30, 2016, Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez and his partner Erika Haberzettl responded to a verbal disturbance call.  They were met by a distraught woman who told them that her husband had taken her cellphone and locked her out of the house.  The officers tried to make contact with the subject at the residence, but were unsuccessful.  The officers then attempted to take the woman to a relative’s home, but were unable to locate a good address. The officers returned back to the woman’s home in hopes of contacting the husband and facilitating a welfare check on the two children left inside the residence. Still unable to gain access, the officers contacted the victim’s landlord who met them at the house with a key.  The landlord opened the front door and announced her presence and told the husband that the police were with her and he responded by asking why. Officer Gutierrez walked up the stairs to make contact with the subject who responded in a compliant tone. Immediately upon stepping up to the second floor landing, Officer Haberzettl heard four gunshots and saw Officer Gutierrez immediately fall down. Officer Haberzettl and the suspect’s wife were able to quickly exit the house where Officer Haberzettl called for priority and immediate back-up. Additional law enforcement units arrived and Police Sergeant David Johnson with Pierce County Deputy John Munson formulated a rescue plan to extract Officer Gutierrez from the residence.  During this time, additional shots were fired by the suspect from inside the house.  Officer Dean Waubanascum retrieved a battering ram from his car and joined the rescue team along with Sergeant Barry Paris, Officers Shane Wimbles, and Dan Bortle. The officers approached the front door and realized that there was not enough room to utilize the battering ram.  Sergeant Paul Jagodinski moved to the rear deck where he could see through a window that the front door was barricaded with a chair.  With that information, the rescue team moved to the rear upper deck of the house towards a sliding glass door. The rescue team entered the home and placed themselves between the suspect and Officer Gutierrez. Several officers maintained tactical cover of the team as they maneuvered inside the residence. Sergeant Johnson, Deputy Munson, and Officer Waubanascum grabbed Officer Gutierrez and dragged him out of the house. Sergeant Paris, Sergeant Jagodinski, Officer Wimble, Officer Brian Kelly, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Shaw provided cover. Once Officer Gutierrez was removed from the house, the cover team remained in the house in an effort to rescue the two children who were still inside the home. All of these officers worked as a team to accomplish the mission despite grave danger to themselves. Officer Gutierrez was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead after several hours of surgery.

On November 30, 2016, Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez and his partner Erika Haberzettl responded to a verbal disturbance call.  They were met by a distraught woman who told them that her husband had taken her cellphone and locked her out of the house.  The officers tried to make contact with the subject at the residence, but were unsuccessful.  The officers then attempted to take the woman to a relative’s home, but were unable to locate a good address. The officers returned back to the woman’s home in hopes of contacting the husband and facilitating a welfare check on the two children left inside the residence. Still unable to gain access, the officers contacted the victim’s landlord who met them at the house with a key.  The landlord opened the front door and announced her presence and told the husband that the police were with her and he responded by asking why. Officer Gutierrez walked up the stairs to make contact with the subject who responded in a compliant tone. Immediately upon stepping up to the second floor landing, Officer Haberzettl heard four gunshots and saw Officer Gutierrez immediately fall down. Officer Haberzettl and the suspect’s wife were able to quickly exit the house where Officer Haberzettl called for priority and immediate back-up. Additional law enforcement units arrived and Police Sergeant David Johnson with Pierce County Deputy John Munson formulated a rescue plan to extract Officer Gutierrez from the residence.  During this time, additional shots were fired by the suspect from inside the house.  Officer Dean Waubanascum retrieved a battering ram from his car and joined the rescue team along with Sergeant Barry Paris, Officers Shane Wimbles, and Dan Bortle. The officers approached the front door and realized that there was not enough room to utilize the battering ram.  Sergeant Paul Jagodinski moved to the rear deck where he could see through a window that the front door was barricaded with a chair.  With that information, the rescue team moved to the rear upper deck of the house towards a sliding glass door. The rescue team entered the home and placed themselves between the suspect and Officer Gutierrez. Several officers maintained tactical cover of the team as they maneuvered inside the residence. Sergeant Johnson, Deputy Munson, and Officer Waubanascum grabbed Officer Gutierrez and dragged him out of the house. Sergeant Paris, Sergeant Jagodinski, Officer Wimble, Officer Brian Kelly, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Shaw provided cover. Once Officer Gutierrez was removed from the house, the cover team remained in the house in an effort to rescue the two children who were still inside the home. All of these officers worked as a team to accomplish the mission despite grave danger to themselves. Officer Gutierrez was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead after several hours of surgery.

On November 30, 2016, Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez and his partner Erika Haberzettl responded to a verbal disturbance call.  They were met by a distraught woman who told them that her husband had taken her cellphone and locked her out of the house.  The officers tried to make contact with the subject at the residence, but were unsuccessful.  The officers then attempted to take the woman to a relative’s home, but were unable to locate a good address. The officers returned back to the woman’s home in hopes of contacting the husband and facilitating a welfare check on the two children left inside the residence. Still unable to gain access, the officers contacted the victim’s landlord who met them at the house with a key.  The landlord opened the front door and announced her presence and told the husband that the police were with her and he responded by asking why. Officer Gutierrez walked up the stairs to make contact with the subject who responded in a compliant tone. Immediately upon stepping up to the second floor landing, Officer Haberzettl heard four gunshots and saw Officer Gutierrez immediately fall down. Officer Haberzettl and the suspect’s wife were able to quickly exit the house where Officer Haberzettl called for priority and immediate back-up. Additional law enforcement units arrived and Police Sergeant David Johnson with Pierce County Deputy John Munson formulated a rescue plan to extract Officer Gutierrez from the residence.  During this time, additional shots were fired by the suspect from inside the house.  Officer Dean Waubanascum retrieved a battering ram from his car and joined the rescue team along with Sergeant Barry Paris, Officers Shane Wimbles, and Dan Bortle. The officers approached the front door and realized that there was not enough room to utilize the battering ram.  Sergeant Paul Jagodinski moved to the rear deck where he could see through a window that the front door was barricaded with a chair.  With that information, the rescue team moved to the rear upper deck of the house towards a sliding glass door. The rescue team entered the home and placed themselves between the suspect and Officer Gutierrez. Several officers maintained tactical cover of the team as they maneuvered inside the residence. Sergeant Johnson, Deputy Munson, and Officer Waubanascum grabbed Officer Gutierrez and dragged him out of the house. Sergeant Paris, Sergeant Jagodinski, Officer Wimble, Officer Brian Kelly, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Shaw provided cover. Once Officer Gutierrez was removed from the house, the cover team remained in the house in an effort to rescue the two children who were still inside the home. All of these officers worked as a team to accomplish the mission despite grave danger to themselves. Officer Gutierrez was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead after several hours of surgery.

On November 30, 2016, Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez and his partner Erika Haberzettl responded to a verbal disturbance call.  They were met by a distraught woman who told them that her husband had taken her cellphone and locked her out of the house.  The officers tried to make contact with the subject at the residence, but were unsuccessful.  The officers then attempted to take the woman to a relative’s home, but were unable to locate a good address. The officers returned back to the woman’s home in hopes of contacting the husband and facilitating a welfare check on the two children left inside the residence. Still unable to gain access, the officers contacted the victim’s landlord who met them at the house with a key.  The landlord opened the front door and announced her presence and told the husband that the police were with her and he responded by asking why. Officer Gutierrez walked up the stairs to make contact with the subject who responded in a compliant tone. Immediately upon stepping up to the second floor landing, Officer Haberzettl heard four gunshots and saw Officer Gutierrez immediately fall down. Officer Haberzettl and the suspect’s wife were able to quickly exit the house where Officer Haberzettl called for priority and immediate back-up. Additional law enforcement units arrived and Police Sergeant David Johnson with Pierce County Deputy John Munson formulated a rescue plan to extract Officer Gutierrez from the residence.  During this time, additional shots were fired by the suspect from inside the house.  Officer Dean Waubanascum retrieved a battering ram from his car and joined the rescue team along with Sergeant Barry Paris, Officers Shane Wimbles, and Dan Bortle. The officers approached the front door and realized that there was not enough room to utilize the battering ram.  Sergeant Paul Jagodinski moved to the rear deck where he could see through a window that the front door was barricaded with a chair.  With that information, the rescue team moved to the rear upper deck of the house towards a sliding glass door. The rescue team entered the home and placed themselves between the suspect and Officer Gutierrez. Several officers maintained tactical cover of the team as they maneuvered inside the residence. Sergeant Johnson, Deputy Munson, and Officer Waubanascum grabbed Officer Gutierrez and dragged him out of the house. Sergeant Paris, Sergeant Jagodinski, Officer Wimble, Officer Brian Kelly, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Shaw provided cover. Once Officer Gutierrez was removed from the house, the cover team remained in the house in an effort to rescue the two children who were still inside the home. All of these officers worked as a team to accomplish the mission despite grave danger to themselves. Officer Gutierrez was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead after several hours of surgery.

On November 30, 2016, Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez and his partner Erika Haberzettl responded to a verbal disturbance call.  They were met by a distraught woman who told them that her husband had taken her cellphone and locked her out of the house.  The officers tried to make contact with the subject at the residence, but were unsuccessful.  The officers then attempted to take the woman to a relative’s home, but were unable to locate a good address. The officers returned back to the woman’s home in hopes of contacting the husband and facilitating a welfare check on the two children left inside the residence. Still unable to gain access, the officers contacted the victim’s landlord who met them at the house with a key.  The landlord opened the front door and announced her presence and told the husband that the police were with her and he responded by asking why. Officer Gutierrez walked up the stairs to make contact with the subject who responded in a compliant tone. Immediately upon stepping up to the second floor landing, Officer Haberzettl heard four gunshots and saw Officer Gutierrez immediately fall down. Officer Haberzettl and the suspect’s wife were able to quickly exit the house where Officer Haberzettl called for priority and immediate back-up. Additional law enforcement units arrived and Police Sergeant David Johnson with Pierce County Deputy John Munson formulated a rescue plan to extract Officer Gutierrez from the residence.  During this time, additional shots were fired by the suspect from inside the house.  Officer Dean Waubanascum retrieved a battering ram from his car and joined the rescue team along with Sergeant Barry Paris, Officers Shane Wimbles, and Dan Bortle. The officers approached the front door and realized that there was not enough room to utilize the battering ram.  Sergeant Paul Jagodinski moved to the rear deck where he could see through a window that the front door was barricaded with a chair.  With that information, the rescue team moved to the rear upper deck of the house towards a sliding glass door. The rescue team entered the home and placed themselves between the suspect and Officer Gutierrez. Several officers maintained tactical cover of the team as they maneuvered inside the residence. Sergeant Johnson, Deputy Munson, and Officer Waubanascum grabbed Officer Gutierrez and dragged him out of the house. Sergeant Paris, Sergeant Jagodinski, Officer Wimble, Officer Brian Kelly, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Shaw provided cover. Once Officer Gutierrez was removed from the house, the cover team remained in the house in an effort to rescue the two children who were still inside the home. All of these officers worked as a team to accomplish the mission despite grave danger to themselves. Officer Gutierrez was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead after several hours of surgery.

On November 30, 2016, Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez and his partner Erika Haberzettl responded to a verbal disturbance call.  They were met by a distraught woman who told them that her husband had taken her cellphone and locked her out of the house.  The officers tried to make contact with the subject at the residence, but were unsuccessful.  The officers then attempted to take the woman to a relative’s home, but were unable to locate a good address. The officers returned back to the woman’s home in hopes of contacting the husband and facilitating a welfare check on the two children left inside the residence. Still unable to gain access, the officers contacted the victim’s landlord who met them at the house with a key.  The landlord opened the front door and announced her presence and told the husband that the police were with her and he responded by asking why. Officer Gutierrez walked up the stairs to make contact with the subject who responded in a compliant tone. Immediately upon stepping up to the second floor landing, Officer Haberzettl heard four gunshots and saw Officer Gutierrez immediately fall down. Officer Haberzettl and the suspect’s wife were able to quickly exit the house where Officer Haberzettl called for priority and immediate back-up. Additional law enforcement units arrived and Police Sergeant David Johnson with Pierce County Deputy John Munson formulated a rescue plan to extract Officer Gutierrez from the residence.  During this time, additional shots were fired by the suspect from inside the house.  Officer Dean Waubanascum retrieved a battering ram from his car and joined the rescue team along with Sergeant Barry Paris, Officers Shane Wimbles, and Dan Bortle. The officers approached the front door and realized that there was not enough room to utilize the battering ram.  Sergeant Paul Jagodinski moved to the rear deck where he could see through a window that the front door was barricaded with a chair.  With that information, the rescue team moved to the rear upper deck of the house towards a sliding glass door. The rescue team entered the home and placed themselves between the suspect and Officer Gutierrez. Several officers maintained tactical cover of the team as they maneuvered inside the residence. Sergeant Johnson, Deputy Munson, and Officer Waubanascum grabbed Officer Gutierrez and dragged him out of the house. Sergeant Paris, Sergeant Jagodinski, Officer Wimble, Officer Brian Kelly, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Shaw provided cover. Once Officer Gutierrez was removed from the house, the cover team remained in the house in an effort to rescue the two children who were still inside the home. All of these officers worked as a team to accomplish the mission despite grave danger to themselves. Officer Gutierrez was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead after several hours of surgery.

On November 30, 2016, Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez and his partner Erika Haberzettl responded to a verbal disturbance call.  They were met by a distraught woman who told them that her husband had taken her cellphone and locked her out of the house.  The officers tried to make contact with the subject at the residence, but were unsuccessful.  The officers then attempted to take the woman to a relative’s home, but were unable to locate a good address. The officers returned back to the woman’s home in hopes of contacting the husband and facilitating a welfare check on the two children left inside the residence. Still unable to gain access, the officers contacted the victim’s landlord who met them at the house with a key.  The landlord opened the front door and announced her presence and told the husband that the police were with her and he responded by asking why. Officer Gutierrez walked up the stairs to make contact with the subject who responded in a compliant tone. Immediately upon stepping up to the second floor landing, Officer Haberzettl heard four gunshots and saw Officer Gutierrez immediately fall down. Officer Haberzettl and the suspect’s wife were able to quickly exit the house where Officer Haberzettl called for priority and immediate back-up. Additional law enforcement units arrived and Police Sergeant David Johnson with Pierce County Deputy John Munson formulated a rescue plan to extract Officer Gutierrez from the residence.  During this time, additional shots were fired by the suspect from inside the house.  Officer Dean Waubanascum retrieved a battering ram from his car and joined the rescue team along with Sergeant Barry Paris, Officers Shane Wimbles, and Dan Bortle. The officers approached the front door and realized that there was not enough room to utilize the battering ram.  Sergeant Paul Jagodinski moved to the rear deck where he could see through a window that the front door was barricaded with a chair.  With that information, the rescue team moved to the rear upper deck of the house towards a sliding glass door. The rescue team entered the home and placed themselves between the suspect and Officer Gutierrez. Several officers maintained tactical cover of the team as they maneuvered inside the residence. Sergeant Johnson, Deputy Munson, and Officer Waubanascum grabbed Officer Gutierrez and dragged him out of the house. Sergeant Paris, Sergeant Jagodinski, Officer Wimble, Officer Brian Kelly, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Shaw provided cover. Once Officer Gutierrez was removed from the house, the cover team remained in the house in an effort to rescue the two children who were still inside the home. All of these officers worked as a team to accomplish the mission despite grave danger to themselves. Officer Gutierrez was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead after several hours of surgery.

On November 30, 2016, Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez and his partner Erika Haberzettl responded to a verbal disturbance call.  They were met by a distraught woman who told them that her husband had taken her cellphone and locked her out of the house.  The officers tried to make contact with the subject at the residence, but were unsuccessful.  The officers then attempted to take the woman to a relative’s home, but were unable to locate a good address. The officers returned back to the woman’s home in hopes of contacting the husband and facilitating a welfare check on the two children left inside the residence. Still unable to gain access, the officers contacted the victim’s landlord who met them at the house with a key.  The landlord opened the front door and announced her presence and told the husband that the police were with her and he responded by asking why. Officer Gutierrez walked up the stairs to make contact with the subject who responded in a compliant tone. Immediately upon stepping up to the second floor landing, Officer Haberzettl heard four gunshots and saw Officer Gutierrez immediately fall down. Officer Haberzettl and the suspect’s wife were able to quickly exit the house where Officer Haberzettl called for priority and immediate back-up. Additional law enforcement units arrived and Police Sergeant David Johnson with Pierce County Deputy John Munson formulated a rescue plan to extract Officer Gutierrez from the residence.  During this time, additional shots were fired by the suspect from inside the house.  Officer Dean Waubanascum retrieved a battering ram from his car and joined the rescue team along with Sergeant Barry Paris, Officers Shane Wimbles, and Dan Bortle. The officers approached the front door and realized that there was not enough room to utilize the battering ram.  Sergeant Paul Jagodinski moved to the rear deck where he could see through a window that the front door was barricaded with a chair.  With that information, the rescue team moved to the rear upper deck of the house towards a sliding glass door. The rescue team entered the home and placed themselves between the suspect and Officer Gutierrez. Several officers maintained tactical cover of the team as they maneuvered inside the residence. Sergeant Johnson, Deputy Munson, and Officer Waubanascum grabbed Officer Gutierrez and dragged him out of the house. Sergeant Paris, Sergeant Jagodinski, Officer Wimble, Officer Brian Kelly, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Shaw provided cover. Once Officer Gutierrez was removed from the house, the cover team remained in the house in an effort to rescue the two children who were still inside the home. All of these officers worked as a team to accomplish the mission despite grave danger to themselves. Officer Gutierrez was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead after several hours of surgery.

On August 21, 2016, at about 12:51 AM Moses Lake Police were called to assist the Grant County Sheriff with a car in an irrigation canal in Grant County. The sheriff’s office had no units available to respond.

Officer Hake was one of four officers to respond.  When they arrived, the vehicle was submerged and inverted in the fast-moving water, which was shoulder deep.  All four officers entered the water to conduct a rescue of the vehicle’s occupants.  Water pressure was exasperated by the car being near a road crossing, which narrowed the flow, making it flow faster at that location. The officers entered the submerged vehicle and were able to extract the occupants. The first occupant of the car made a complete recovery.  Unfortunately, the second man who was rescued died several days later, but not before his family was able to spend time with him.

On August 21, 2016, at about 12:51 AM Moses Lake Police were called to assist the Grant County Sheriff with a car in an irrigation canal in Grant County. The sheriff’s office had no units available to respond. Officer Stewart was one of four officers to respond.  When they arrived, the vehicle was submerged and inverted in the fast-moving water, which was shoulder deep.  All four officers entered the water to conduct a rescue of the vehicle’s occupants.  Water pressure was exasperated by the car being near a road crossing, which narrowed the flow, making it flow faster at that location. The officers entered the submerged vehicle and were able to extract the occupants. The first occupant of the car made a complete recovery.  Unfortunately, the second man who was rescued died several days later, but not before his family was able to spend time with him.

On August 21, 2016, at about 12:51 AM Moses Lake Police were called to assist the Grant County Sheriff with a car in an irrigation canal in Grant County. The sheriff’s office had no units available to respond. Officer Dodson was one of four officers to respond.  When they arrived, the vehicle was submerged and inverted in the fast-moving water, which was shoulder deep.  All four officers entered the water to conduct a rescue of the vehicle’s occupants.  Water pressure was exasperated by the car being near a road crossing, which narrowed the flow, making it flow faster at that location. The officers entered the submerged vehicle and were able to extract the occupants. The first occupant of the car made a complete recovery.  Unfortunately, the second man who was rescued died several days later, but not before his family was able to spend time with him.

On August 21, 2016, at about 12:51 AM Moses Lake Police were called to assist the Grant County Sheriff with a car in an irrigation canal in Grant County. The sheriff’s office had no units available to respond. Officer Materne was one of four officers to respond.  When they arrived, the vehicle was submerged and inverted in the fast-moving water, which was shoulder deep.  All four officers entered the water to conduct a rescue of the vehicle’s occupants.  Water pressure was exasperated by the car being near a road crossing, which narrowed the flow, making it flow faster at that location. The officers entered the submerged vehicle and were able to extract the occupants. The first occupant of the car made a complete recovery.  Unfortunately, the second man who was rescued died several days later, but not before his family was able to spend time with him.

Officer Materne was a reserve officer at the time of this incident.  He was later hired by the Vancouver Police Department.

On December 15, 2016, Mount Vernon Police responded to a local hospital after the victim of a shooting arrived there.  A K-9 track led the officers to the scene. Officers from several jurisdictions responded to contain the house. Officer Green was one of several officers to approach the front door of the residence.  Several shots were fired from inside the house.  One round struck Officer McClaughry in the head. Officers Green, Paul, and Payne dragged McClaughry from the front of the house.  All the while, shots were still being fired from inside.  The officers were completely exposed.  Sergeant Lindberg and Officer Wayne laid down suppression fire so that McClaughry could be removed without being fired upon. Sergeant Don drove his car to the front of the house in the line of fire.  McClaughry was placed in his car.  Don drove the officer to an awaiting ambulance. McClaughry was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.  Despite his severe injuries, he survived.