HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2022-4661

HR 4661

ByRepresentatives Kraft, Chambers, Goehner, Chase, Graham, Rule, Orcutt, Boehnke, Orwall, Schmick, Robertson, Hoff, Walsh, Dent, Pollet, Volz, Leavitt, Klippert, Eslick, Dufault, and Sutherland

WHEREAS, Countless law enforcement men and women freely put themselves in harm's way each day to ensure the protection of Washington's citizens; and

WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers exemplify leadership, selflessness, sacrifice, and honor; and

WHEREAS, When a law enforcement officer makes the ultimate sacrifice, it cuts to the heart of their community, inflicting unforeseeable pain and loss not only to the family of the fallen officer, but to the lives these men and women have touched; and

WHEREAS, The communities and people affected by such a loss come together in support of the families, friends, and loved ones of these fallen heroes, who in their passing, bring together and strengthen their communities one last time; and

WHEREAS, A member of Vancouver's law enforcement community and a member of Clark County's law enforcement community have given their lives in the line of duty within the past year; and

WHEREAS, Eight members of Washington State's law enforcement community made the ultimate sacrifice in 2021 and 2022:

Officer Donald Sahota, 52, ended his 28-year career in law enforcement and seven-year watch for the Vancouver Police Department on January 29, 2022, and is survived by his wife and two children;

Sergeant Jeremy Brown, 46, ended his 15-year watch for the Clark County Sheriff's Office on July 23, 2021, and is survived by his wife, five children, and three siblings;

Corrections Officer Darryl L. Goodrich, Jr., 49, ended his 10-year career of law enforcement and one-year watch for the Washington State Department of Corrections on August 20, 2021, and is survived by his wife, three children, father, and two brothers;

Trooper Eric Gunderson, 38, ended his 15-year watch for the Washington State Patrol on September 26, 2021, and is survived by his wife and two sons;

Corrections Officer Gabriel K. Forrest, 42, ended his 19-year watch for the Washington State Department of Corrections on June 17, 2021, and is survived by his daughter, parents, four siblings, and many nieces and nephews;

Officer Alexandra "Lexi" Harris, 38, ended her five-year watch for the Seattle Police Department on June 13, 2021, and is survived by her parents, brother, and fiancé and his two daughters;

Officer Cesar Sibonga, 63, ended his 18-year watch for the United States Customs and Border Protection on February 7, 2021, and is survived by his wife and two sons; and

Officer Jay Hughes, 64, ended his 44-year watch for the Kalispel Tribal Police Department on January 6, 2021, and is survived by his wife, four children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandson;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize each of these men and women who exemplified duty, honor, and selflessness to their country, state, and communities with their sacrifice; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and loved ones of these fallen heroes have joined a community of Honored Survivors, whose sacrifice can never be repaid in kind; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Honored Survivor families recorded herein.