Other Languages2014 Medal of Honor Recipients
Posthumous Award for Service:
Trooper Sean M. O’Connell Jr.
Washington State Patrol
On May 31, 2013, Washington State Patrol Trooper Sean M. O’Connell Jr. was providing traffic control for a detour route when he collided with a box van. Trooper O’Connell was ejected from his motorcycle and fatally injured.
Officer Edwin J. Wilson
Seattle Police Department
On September 24, 1919, Seattle Police Officer Edwin J. Wilson was returning to headquarters after handling a call. While en route his motorcycle struck an unknown object in the street. The motorcycle went out of control, striking a telephone pole and ejecting Officer Wilson, who was fatally injured. He was the first Seattle Police Motorcycle Officer to be killed in the line of duty.
Officer Ellsworth W. Cordes
Seattle Police Department
On December 31, 1932, Seattle Police Officer Ellsworth W. Cordes was riding his police motorcycle when he collided with a street car. Officer Cordes died as a result of his injuries.
Officer John T. Clancy, Jr.
Seattle Police Department
On December 24, 1949, Seattle Police Officer John T. Clancy, Jr. was operating his police motorcycle when he was struck by a vehicle operated by a drunk driver. Officer Clancy died as a result of his injuries.
Officer David P. Richards
Seattle Police Department
On September 1, 1967, Seattle Police Officer David P. Richards was riding his police motorcycle when due to mechanical failure it went out of control, striking a guard rail and ejecting Officer Richards. Officer Richards died as a result of his injuries.
Officer Jerry L. Wyant
Seattle Police Department
On October 26, 1976, Seattle Police Officer Jerry L. Wyant was riding his police motorcycle on routine patrol when he was struck by a delivery truck which failed to yield the right of way. Officer Wyant died as a result of his injuries.
Officer William B. Spencer
Whitman County Sheriff’s Office
On April 1, 1892, Deputy William Spencer of the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office was shot while attempting to arrest a horse thief. Deputy Spencer and another deputy had located the suspect at Fort Spokane. As Deputy Spencer called out to the suspect to place him under arrest, the suspect suddenly spun around and opened fire. Deputy Spencer was wounded, but both deputies opened fire on the suspect and killed him. Two days after the shooting, and after Deputy Spencer’s arm was amputated, he died from complications of his gunshot wounds on April 3, 1892.
Officer Otto G. Brown
Bellingham Police Department
On March 5, 1929, Officer Brown was on his way to work riding a police motorcycle with sidecar. After turning off a side street, Officer Brown was struck from behind by a taxi cab. The motorcycle was thrown into a nearby telephone pole where it crashed, throwing Officer Brown into the street. Officer Brown was severely injured and confined to the hospital for several weeks. Officer Brown recovered somewhat from his injuries and was able to return to work for a while, however, on January 8, 1930, he succumbed to complications from the collision. According to the attending physician at the time of his death, Officer Brown died from apoplexy caused from high blood pressure brought about by the accident and a slight attack of pleurisy.
For Serious Injury:
Trooper Michael Buckingham
Washington State Patrol
In April 1981, Washington State Patrol Trooper Michael Buckingham was in pursuit of a drunk driver who collided with another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. That vehicle then crashed into Trooper Buckingham’s vehicle, leaving him trapped and unconscious and his vehicle engulfed in flames. Trooper Buckingham survived another 32 years, during which time he endured numerous surgeries and painful physical therapy sessions. During that time Trooper Buckingham dedicated his life to public speaking and teaching about traffic safety and impaired driving issues and their consequences.
For Meritorious Conduct:
Deputy Ryan Moody
Chelan County Sheriff's Office
On September 2, 2013, Chelan County
Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ryan Moody and Deputy Adam Musgrove responded to
an occupied residence fire. Both deputies entered the burning
residence and found the male occupant lying on the kitchen floor,
refusing to leave. Both deputies immediately grabbed the male, picking
him up and physically carrying him out of the burning residence against
his will, thereby saving his life.
Deputy Adam Musgrove
Chelan County Sheriff's Office On
September 2, 2013, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ryan Moody and
Deputy Adam Musgrove responded to an occupied residence fire. Both
deputies entered the burning residence and found the male occupant lying
on the kitchen floor, refusing to leave. Both deputies immediately
grabbed the male, picking him up and physically carrying him out of the
burning residence against his will, thereby saving his life.
Sergeant Donald L. Almer
Bellingham Police Department
On August 8, 2013, Bellingham Police Department Sergeant Donald L. Almer attempted to stop an armed robbery suspect vehicle which resulted in a pursuit and the driver of the suspect vehicle firing a shotgun at Sergeant Almer and his vehicle, which was struck several times. The suspect vehicle crashed and the driver exited and continued to fire his shotgun at Sergeant Almer, who returned fire, incapacitating him and his weapon Sergeant Almer then administered first aid to both suspects.
Sergeant Rick Dunn
Monroe Police Department
On June 24, 2013, Monroe Police Department Sergeant Rick Dunn physically removed a suicidal male, who out weighed him by over 150 pounds, from the path of a fast approaching train.