The week of May 11 through May 17, 2022 has been designated as Police Week. On October 1, 1961, the US Congress authorized the President to designate May 15 to honor peace officers. John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962. The week that this date falls has also been designated as Police Week.
2022 has been a deadly year for law enforcement officers with 102 line of duty deaths and 8 K-9s killed. Washington State has lost three officers who were killed in the line of duty this year and one Seattle PD K9 who was stabbed to death.
•Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha - Killed by gunfire on March 25, 2022
•Pierce County Deputy Sheriff Dominique Calata - Killed by gunfire on March 16, 2022
•Vancouver PD Officer Donald Sahota - Killed by gunfire on January 29, 2022
•Seattle PD K9 Jedi - Stabbed to death on January 5, 2022.
WALLACE EDWARD DAVIS
Clallam County Sheriff's Office was shot and killed on August 5, 2000.
Deputy Sheriff Wally Davis was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call. Deputy Davis had responded alone when he was shot in the head on the front porch of the house. Responding officers found him after neighbors heard the shots and called 911.
The subject who shot him barricaded himself inside the home for 25 hours before surrendering. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, where he subsequently died in January 2013.
Deputy Davis had served with the Clallam County Sheriff's Department for five years and had served in law enforcement for 25 years.
KRISTINE MARIE FAIRBANKS
On September 20, 2008, United States Forest Service Officer Kristine Fairbanks was shot and killed.
Officer Kristine Fairbanks was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle on Forest Service Road 2880, just past the Dungeness Forks campground off Palo Alto Road. She had radioed the Washington State Patrol dispatch that she would be checking on a van with no license plates at 2:40 pm.
When dispatchers were unable to reach her, troopers were dispatched to check on her and found her suffering from a single gunshot wound. Her canine partner had not been released from her patrol vehicle and was uninjured.
The suspect fled the scene and later murdered a man while stealing his truck. At approximately 9:30 pm, he encountered two Clallam County deputies at a convenience store and was killed in the ensuing shootout.
Officer Fairbanks had served with the United States Forest Service for 22 years.
To remember all the fallen officers and show support for their families and survivors there will be a Bell Ringing Ceremony in Veterans Memorial Park on Lincoln Street (Next to the Courthouse) at this Friday at 1:30 PM.
