The Associated Press
KENT — A suburban Seattle officer who died Sunday after being hit by a patrol car as police were chasing a suspect is being praised for his work.
Officials said Kent Police Officer Diego Moreno made significant contributions during his eight years on the force. The Venezuela native was honored last year by the city with a Lifesaving Medal for saving someone from an opioid overdose. In 2016, he was praised for rescuing an elderly woman from a fire.
Community members added Monday to a memorial of flowers, candles, drawings and other items outside the Kent Police Station.
Police have a suspect in custody.
The chase began around 2 a.m. Sunday after a red truck was seen leaving a parking lot where gunshots had been reported. At a press conference Sunday, State Patrol District Commander Ron Mead blamed the suspect for Moreno’s death.
The State Patrol’s preliminary investigation indicates that Moreno had deployed spike strips at an intersection Sunday to slow the suspect. He was on foot when he was struck by the patrol car.
The fleeing suspect’s truck landed on a spike but continued on for another mile before striking a barrier and coming to rest on its hood. One person was taken into custody, and police are seeking information on others who might have been in the truck.
The patrol car also ran into an SUV that spun into two other vehicles. None of those people were hurt, but the officer driving the patrol car was hospitalized in critical condition but had improved by Sunday night.
