Lights & Sirens » Kudos and awards

Lakewood detective to be honored on TV show tonight

Stacia Glenn — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:23:36 +0000

By Dianne McGinness; contributing writer

When it comes to catching fugitives, Lakewood police detective Ryan Larson has a pretty strong track record.

He caught three Pierce County fugitives in one week, earning him the March Officer of the Month Award for the “Washington’s Most Wanted” television show on Q13 Fox.

He will receive his award at 10:30 tonight on the telecast.

Larson has a knack for finding fugitives because of his commitment to his job, said Assistant Police Chief Mike Zaro.

“You just can’t say enough about that kind of dedication and vigilance,” Zaro said.

Larson’s first capture …

Memorial stone in University Place park recognizes West Pierce firefighters killed in the line of duty

Stacia Glenn — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:47:08 +0000

A memorial stone at a University Place park holds two names: Merritt Nichols and Raymond Kadow.

Both men were volunteer firefighters for West Pierce Fire & Rescue, and both men were killed in the line of duty.

They are now honored by the decorative stone set in 9/11 Reflection Park. Etched into the stone are these words: “We will never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. May they be forever in our hearts and minds.”

It was dedicated March 2.

Nichols was killed May 11, 1962, while responding to a call for a baby …

South King Fire & Rescue firefighters honored for saving colleague’s life

Stacia Glenn — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:35:59 +0000

Two South King Fire & Rescue firefighters were recognized this week for saving a colleague’s life after he was struck by an out-of-control vehicle that slid on an icy road in Federal Way.

Firefighter Wynn Loiland, 52, was hit by a car at the scene of a rollover crash on Interstate 5 in November.

Lt. John Riley and firefighter Rob Pysher “reacted swiftly and professionally despite the horror of watching their engine driver struck and pinned between two vehicles,” according to a department news release.

Wynn was hospitalized for several months with a severe head injury. He retired last …

Tacoma firefighter given highest award for water rescue

Stacia Glenn — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:36:25 +0000

Tacoma firefighter Matt Fleming has been awarded a medal of valor – the department’s highest honor – for rescuing a flailing swimmer in Commencement Bay.

It is only the fourth time in 12 years that the department has given out the award, which is reserved for emergency incidents where firefighters show bravery and courage.

Fleming earned the medal for his actions June 5, when crews responded to a capsizing boat in Commencement Bay. They found one person on board was able to swim to shore and the other was clinging to a floatation device about 100 feet offshore.

While waiting …

Lakewood police sergeant honored for lifesaving actions

Stacey Mulick — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:11:43 +0000

The commissioners of West Pierce Fire & Rescue have honored a Lakewood police sergeant who was credited with saving the life of a choking 9-year-old girl last month.

The commissioners presented Sgt. John Fraser with a lifesaving award at their meeting Tuesday night.

Fraser and Lakewood police Lt. Chris Lawler were eating dinner at a teriyaki restaurant the night of Feb. 15 when Fraser jumped from his chair to help the girl, who was holding her throat and choking.

Fraser performed the Heimlich maneuver on her as Lawler called for firefighters. After the fifth try, an object came out of …

King County Sheriff honors 2 deputies who saved lives, others at ceremony

Stacey Mulick — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:23:36 +0000

Two King County sheriff’s deputies will be among the recipients today at the Sheriff’s Office’s annual awards ceremony.

The ceremony will honor citizens and deputies for their work over the past year.

Here’s information from the King County Sheriff’s Office on two of the honorees:

Captain Bryan Howard will receive the Livesaver Award. On November 6, 2010, Capt. Howard was off duty but arrived at the scene of a farm tractor accident on the Auburn-Enumclaw Road. A 15 year-old boy driving the tractor was struck from behind by another vehicle. The accident threw the boy and

…

Pierce County judge wins award

Stacia Glenn — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:50:54 +0000

A Pierce County superior judge has been named judge of the year by the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Frank Cuthbertson, who was appointed to his post in 2001, will be given the award at a dinner in Seattle Oct. 15.

Here’s a portion of the press release from Pierce County:

The award honors members of the judiciary who demonstrate unswerving dedication to the right to trial by jury, access to justice for all people, and civility among lawyers, litigants and the judiciary.

Established in 1957, the American Board of Trial Advocates is a national organization made up equally of

…

Pierce County judges honored for excellence

Adam Lynn — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:00:49 +0000

Two Pierce County Superior Court judges were honored this week by statewide associations.

The Washington Women Lawyers honored Judge Elizabeth Martin with its “Passing the Torch” award.

The award recognizes efforts to mentor women attorneys and “to promote equal rights and opportunities for women and to prevent discrimination against them,” according to a press release issued by Pierce County.

The Asian Bar Association of Washington honored Judge Linda Lee with its “Judge of the Year” award.

The award recognizes judges who support “the legal needs and interests of the Asian Pacific American community by promoting justice, …

Pierce County jurist named state ‘Judge of the Year’

Adam Lynn — Sat, 22 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Pierce County Superior Court Judge James Orlando has been named “Judge of the Year” by the Washington State Association for Justice.

“Judge Orlando is respected by all sides of the bar and is a fine example of what a judge should be,” association president Brad Fulton said in a news release. “He has worked hard to reduce the backlog of criminal and civil cases and has stood up to protect access to justice in our state.”

A Superior Court judge since 2000, Orlando is consistently rated by attorneys as one of the best jurists on the Pierce County …

State’s highest honor to be given to slain Lakewood, Pierce County officers today

Stacey Mulick — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:27:43 +0000

Fourteen law enforcement officers – including six from the Lakewood Police Department and Pierce County Sheriff’s Office – will be honored today during a ceremony in Olympia.

Gov. Chris Gregoire and state Attorney General Rob McKenna will award the officers with the Medal of Honor, the state’s highest honor for law enforcement.The medal is given to officers who are killed in the line of duty, were seriously injured or displayed exceptionally meritorious conduct.

The annual ceremony begins at 1 p.m. at the state’s Law Enforcement Memorial on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. The event is open to the public but …