SENATE RESOLUTION

8657

BySenator Sefzik

WHEREAS, Jason Thompson and Ryan Rathbun serve as deputies in the Whatcom County Sheriff's Department; and

WHEREAS, Both are recovering from grievous injuries suffered February 10th when they responded to a police call of shots fired during a dispute between neighbors in the Maple Falls area; and

WHEREAS, The deputies confronted the suspect, identified themselves, and asked the suspect to put down his weapon; and

WHEREAS, The suspect allegedly shot one deputy in the head, prompting the second deputy to return fire, and the second deputy also was shot in the head; and

WHEREAS, Two neighboring residents, Jesse Marshall and Cody Deeter, assisted the officers in providing cover enabling Deputy Rathbun to pull Deputy Thompson to safety; and

WHEREAS, Neighbor Robert Deeter, despite being in a potential line of fire, provided first aid to the injured deputies; and

WHEREAS, The two injured deputies were treated at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, and one received further treatment at Harborview Medical Center, and both have been released; and

WHEREAS, The incident demonstrated the great risks faced by law enforcement officers every day as they work to reduce crime and keep our communities safe;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize with gratitude the service of Deputy Thompson and Deputy Rathbun and wish them a full recovery from their injuries; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the dedicated and often dangerous work of our state's law enforcement officers and their continual selfless acts of sacrifice and bravery to build safer and stronger communities statewide.

I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8657,

adopted by the Senate

February 24, 2022

SARAH BANNISTER

Secretary of the Senate