MARYSVILLE – It’s been a tough year for the Marysville Police Department, dealing with the killing of five students at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, along with a sergeant being shot just about a week before that.
So, while it’s not done every year because of the cost, Cmdr. Robb Lamoreaux said, the department decided to give out awards this year.
Among those receiving the Chief’s Meritorious Service Awards were M-P teacher Megan Silberberger, who stepped in to keep the school shooting from being even worse, and M-P school resource officer Chris Sutherland, who was one of the first on the scene. Other winners were: Sgt. Rick Sparr, detective Craig Bartl, and officers John Hendrickson, Danielle Rusch and Matt Mishler.
Receiving both a Purple Heart and Medal of Valor was Sgt. James Maples, who was injured when a man went on a shooting spree in Granite Falls and Lake Stevens before being caught in Marysville.
Others receiving the Medal of Valor in that spree were: Sgt. Pete Shove and officers Bronwyn Kieland, Brad Smith, James Tolbert, Chris Jones, Nate Zaretzke, Stacey Dreyer, Derek Oates and Michael Young.
Receiving the Chief’s Meritorious Service Medal Award were: Cmdrs. Lamoureux, Wendy Wade and Jeff Goldman; and Lts. Lawrence Buell, Bradley Akau and Mark Thomas.
Receiving certificates of merit for the M-P shooting were:
• Dispatchers Sherri Murray, Jenn Todd and Ariane Fox, along with supervisor Hattie Schweitzer.
• Support personnel Andrea Hill, Margaret Vanderwalker, Dave Vasconi and Tiki Stiles.
• Chaplains Greg Kanehen, John Mason, Tom Albright, Dennis Niva and Victor Rodriguez.
• School superintendent Becky Berg, Public Works Director Kevin Nielsen and Parks Director Jim Ballew.
Receiving certificates of merit in the shooting spree incident were:
• Dispatchers Carina Keen and Rachael Doniger.
Winning the Chief’s Meritorious Service Awards for that shooting were: Sgt. Joby Johnson and officers Chris Farley, Matthew Goolsby, Brandon Lawrenson and Wayne Kawika Davis.
Department certificate of merit awards went to Sandra Gyurkovics, Ilia Heath, Jeffrey Burkholder, Stacey Dreyer and Derek Oates.
Employee of the Year honors went to: Jacki Goldman, support staff; Barbara Grady, custody officer; Sgt. Adam Vermeulen, supervisor; and Officers of the Year were Sutherland and Tolbert.
