Other LanguagesPosthumous Award for Service
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For Serious Injury
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
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.
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.
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.
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.