PORT ANGELES — Five law enforcement officers were commended for service above and beyond the call of duty and two fallen officers were honored at a ceremony Friday.
More than 40 officers and about as many other Clallam County residents, attended the memorial Veterans Memorial Park, 217 S. Lincoln St., Port Angeles.
The ceremony was in recognition of National Police Week, which also prompted a display of blue ribbons around Port Angeles.
The ceremony honored Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy Wally Davis, killed in August 2000 when he investigated a disturbance east of Port Angeles, and U.S. Forest Service Officer Kristine Fairbanks of Forks, who was killed in September while investigating a suspicious van above Sequim.
“When Officer Fairbanks died, it was a tragedy for all law enforcement, but particularly with our own department,” said Port Angeles Police Chief Terry Gallagher. “She was a friend of many.”
Wally Davis’ daughter, Jesse Davis, sang the national anthem. After the ceremony, she and several officers traveled to Davis’ grave at Ocean View Cemetery in Port Angeles to lay a wreath there.
Sgt. Eric Kovatch and Sgt. Glen Roggenbuck of the Port Angeles Police Department, and Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies Bill Cortani, Matthew Murphy and Andrew Wagner received special awards.
Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict led the ceremony.
Officers’ memorial
SDLqAs we honor those in military service each Memorial Day, our nation pauses each May 15th to show its appreciation for the thousands of men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our community and safeguard the liberties that we enjoy at home in our country,” he said.
“This is also a way to remember the family members, friends and colleagues these brave American heroes left behind.”
The officers, representing the Port Angeles and Sequim police departments, Clallam County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Border Patrol and Coast Guard, saluted a U.S. flag raised by the Port Angeles High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps before it was lowered to half-staff.
Jesse Davis and 20 officers rang the Liberty Bell replica at the park 21 times to honor the fallen police officers.
Five awards
Wagner, Kovatch, Roggenbuck and Murphy received awards for their roles in investigating Fairbanks’ murder on Sept. 20.
Police believe the suspect, Shawn Roe of Everett, also killed Sequim retiree Richard Ziegler that same day before he was killed in a shoot-out with Murphy and Wagner at the Longhouse Market & Deli in Blyn.
Kovatch, Roggenbuck, and Morse each received a meritorious service medal for their roles in the manhunt for Roe, and in the preparation of Fairbanks’ memorial service.
Murphy and Wagner received the National Sheriff Association’s Medal of Valor. They also received medals of valor for their confrontation with Roe from the Sheriff’s Department in October.
State Attorney General Rob McKenna awarded Fairbanks the state Medal of Honor posthumously at a ceremony in Olympia on May 8.
Cortani received the Medal of Valor and Purple Heart from the National Sheriff’s Association for the arrest of Scott Lincoln Davis.
The Forks lawman was attempting to arrest Davis on investigation of trespassing near Sekiu after the Sheriff’s Department was told that the man was squatting in a beachfront cabin on state Highway 112.
Davis, 59, shot Cortani in the arm and the hip, police said. Cortani returned fire, hitting Davis in the stomach and left arm, then detained him for about half an hour until backup arrived.
“He acted a long, long way from any backup or assistance,” said Undersheriff Ron Peregrin.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
