Above: Governor Chris Gregoire hugs Sergeant Nicholas J. Hausner of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department after he received the Medal of Honor for Serious Injury. Hausner responded to a call of a domestic disturbance on December 21, 2009 with Deputy W. Kent Mundell, Jr. when he and Mundell were shot at the scene. Mundell died of his injuries on December 28, 2009.
by Janine Gates
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com
A ceremony today at the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial in Olympia honored 16 men and women: nine fallen officers, three who received serious injury and four who distinguished themselves for meritorious conduct, all in the line of duty. Governor Christine Gregoire bestowed medals of honor on receipients and their families.
Above: In her remarks, Governor Gregoire said that the loss of four Lakewood Police Department officers on November 29, 2009 is recognized by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund as one of the deadliest days in law enforcement history.
This has been the most deadly year for law enforcement in more than 70 years. More than 290 Washington law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty since 1889.
Chief Chandra Brady of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office is serving as a family liaison to the family of Deputy Stephen (Mike) Gallagher, Jr., who died in August of 2009. Describing the aftermath of the loss of a husband or wife, father or mother, she said, "...until we have lived it, we have no idea what it is like...." Speaking of the Gallagher family, Brady says she "stands in awe of their strength and for all you have taught us how to be a family...." Lewis County Deputy Mike Gallagher succumbed to injuries sustained when his patrol car collided with an elk on Highway 12, leaving behind a wife and two small children.
Above: Paul Griswold, husband of Officer Tina Griswold, makes a rubbing of her name after the ceremony at the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial.
Above: The Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial site on the Capitol Campus was chosen specifically for its view toward Budd Inlet.
Above: Friends, families and officers make rubbings of the fallen officer's names on the wall of the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial today.
The Fallen Officers
Control Officer Joseph B. Modlin
Washington State Patrol
End of Watch: 08-15-1974
Deputy Stephen (Mike) Gallagher, Jr.
Lewis County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: 08-18-2009
Officer Timothy Q. Brenton
Seattle Police Department
End of Watch: 10-31-2009
Sergeant Mark J. Renninger
Lakewood Police Department
End of Watch: 11-29-2009
Officer Tina G. Griswold
Lakewood Police Department
End of Watch: 11-29-2009
Officer Ronald W. Owens II
Lakewood Police Department
End of Watch: 11-29-2009
Officer Gregory J. Richards
Lakewood Police Department
End of Watch: 11-29-2009
Deputy W. Kent Mundell, Jr.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: 12-28-2009
Deputy John Bernard
Grant County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: 01-03-2010
For more information about the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial and the officers honored, see other articles on this blog at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com.
For more information about the Behind the Badge Foundation, go to http://www.behindthebadgefoundation.org or call (425) 747-7523.
