Clallam County Deputy Bill Cortani will receive the state Law Enforcement Medal of Honor, the state’s highest law enforcement award, in Olympia on Friday.
Cortani was wounded in a shootout near Sekiu in January 2009 and held his assailant at gunpoint until backup arrived.
Gov. Chris Gregoire and state Attorney General Rob McKenna will hand out the 14 Metal of Honor awards.
Cortani was shot twice by Scott L. Davis at a vacant waterfront cabin. Cortani was responding to a trespassing complaint when he was shot in the arm and hip.
The Forks lawman returned fire — hitting Davis in the stomach and left arm — and held him at gunpoint until other law enforcmeent arrived.
The Medal of Honor is given to officers who make the ultimate sacrifice or displayed exceptionally meritorious conduct.
Since 1854, more than 290 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in the state. Last year, seven officers lost their lives.
The following officers will receive medals posthumously:
Deputy Stephen M. Gallagher Jr. of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office; Officer Timothy Q. Brenton of the Seattle Police Department; Deputy Walter K. Mundell Jr., Pierce County Sheriff’s Office; and four Lakewood Police officers: Sgt. Mark J. Renninger, Officer Tina M. Griswold, Officer Ronald W. Owens and Officer Gregory J. Richards.
TWV, cable channel 21 on the Wave cable system, will air the ceremony live at 1 p.m.
After the shootout, Cortani was treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and was released several days later. He soon returned to his beat patrolling the West End of Clallam County.
Cortani was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2009 by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs. He received the National Sheriff’s Association Medal of Valor and Purple Heart, and the Medal of Valor award from Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict.
Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty on Tuesday asked Benedict to send congratulations to Cortaini on behalf of the Board on County Commissioners and the county citizenry.
Cortani was named officer of the month by the television show “Washington’s Most Wanted.”
Davis, 60 — who was treated for his injuries at Harborview — is charged with first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault. He is being held on $500,000 bail at the Clallam County jail.
A 10-day trial is scheduled for July 19 in Clallam County Superior Court.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladaily news.com.
