Recipients 2010

On August 17th, 2009 Deputy Gallagher responded to back up another deputy on a domestic violence call.   On his way to the scene, Deputy Gallagher’s vehicle collided with an elk, causing the deputy to suffer fatal injuries.

Deputy Gallagher had served with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office for over six years.

On October 31st, 2009 Officer Timothy Brenton was shot and killed while sitting in a patrol car discussing a traffic stop with a trainee.

Officer Brenton served with the Seattle Police Department for nine years after previously serving with the La Conner Police Department.

On November 29, 2009 Sergeant Mark Renninger, along with three other officers, was shot and killed in an ambush attack while sitting in a coffee shop preparing for their shift.

Sergeant Renninger served five years with the Lakewood Police Department after previously serving eight years with the Tukwila Police Department.

On November 29, 2009 Officer Tina Griswold, along with three other officers, was shot and killed in an ambush attack while sitting in a coffee shop preparing for their shift.

Officer Griswold served five years with the Lakewood Police Department and had a total of fourteen years of law enforcement experience.

On November 29, 2009 Officer Ronald Owens, along with three other officers, was shot and killed in an ambush attack while sitting in a coffee shop preparing for their shift.

Officer Owens served five years with the Lakewood Police Department and had a total of twelve years of law enforcement experience.

On November 29, 2009 Officer Greg Richards, along with three other officers, was shot and killed in an ambush attack while sitting in a coffee shop preparing for their shift.

Officer Richards served five years with the Lakewood Police Department and had a total of eight years of law enforcement experience.

On December 21st, 2009 Deputy Mundell was fatally wounded while engaging a domestic violence suspect in a gun fight.  The suspect was also killed during the altercation. 

Deputy Mundell served with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for ten years.

On January 19th, 2009, Deputy Cortani responded to a trespassing complaint at a remote location in Clallam County.  Upon contact the suspect immediately fired a handgun at Deputy Cortani, hitting him in the upper left arm and hip.  Deputy Cortani found cover but was approached by the suspect who then fired a shotgun at him.  Deputy Cortani was able to shoot the suspect, disabling him.  Deputy Cortani, while wounded and bleeding, was able to hold the suspect at gunpoint until other officers arrived to assist him.

Deputy Cortani has served over nineteen years with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.

On October 31st, 2009, Officer Sweeney was sitting in the driver’s seat of her patrol vehicle, discussing a traffic stop with her field training officer, Officer Timothy Brenton when they were both shot.  Officer Sweeney was grazed in the back by one shot and on top of her head but was able to get out of the vehicle and return fire at the fleeing vehicle and call for additional units.

Officer Sweeney has served for over one year with the Seattle Police Department.

On December 21st, 2009 Sergeant Hausner was seriously wounded in the neck while engaged along with Deputy Kent Mundell in a gun fight against a domestic violence suspect.

Sergeant Hausner has served over twenty years with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

On November 6th, 2009 Sergeant Gary Nelson had a gun pointed at his head by a murder suspect, the gun misfired when triggered.  Disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Nelson pursued and apprehended the suspect, preventing him from reaching his apartment, which contained a cache of weapons and explosives.

Sergeant Gary Nelson has served twenty-five years with the Seattle Police Department.

On November 6th, 2009 Sergeant Robert Vallor, disregarding his own safety, pursued and apprehended a murder suspect who was attempting to shoot at him and other officers.  Sergeant Vallor’s actions prevented the suspect from reaching his apartment, which contained a cache of weapons and explosives.

Sergeant Vallor has served twenty seven years with the Seattle Police Department and has over thirty-one years of law enforcement experience.

On November 6th, 2009 Detective Rolf Norton, disregarding his own safety, pursued and apprehended a murder suspect who was attempting to shoot at him and other officers.  Detective Norton’s actions prevented the suspect from reaching his apartment, which contained a cache of weapons and explosives.

Detective Norton has served fifteen years with the Seattle Police Department.

On December 1st, 2009 Officer Benjamin Kelly, while investigating a stolen vehicle, noticed an individual walking up to the rear of his patrol vehicle.  Officer Kelly shot the individual, a murder suspect who was attempting to remove a gun from his pocket. 

Officer Kelly has served five years with the Seattle Police Department and has over seven years of law enforcement experience.