Edmonds Police Heroes Come in All Ages—And Some Even Have Four Legs

There were plenty of heroes Thursday night during the 10th anniversary of the Edmonds Police Department Awards Ceremony. But there were two particularly well-received by the audience of cops, family members and local politicians at the Edmonds Council Chambers.

One was 12, the other 8.

Aidan Stewart was the 12-year-old, one of eight awarded a citizen service citation. As Sgt. Mike Blackburn described Aidan’s heroics—which involved tipping the Edmonds PD to a suspected burglar hiding in bushes—Aidan smiled broadly while dressed smartly in a suit and tie.

Aidan also threw a baseball bat at the suspect. “I think I hit him in the foot,” Aidan said after the ceremony. Naturally, Aidan says he wants to be a cop one day.

The 8-year-old honoree made his presence known with scratching, whining and a few well-placed barks. It was Rocky, Edmonds’ most famous police dog, waiting for his introduction. Rocky received a distinguished service citation for valor for his seven years of service, in which he apprehended 102 suspects involved in crimes.

Many of those crimes would have gone unsolved had it not been for the unique ability of a trained police dog to precisely track and locate a suspect immediately after leaving a crime scene. Even when criminals were not immediately located, many times Rocky located key pieces of evidence that became valuable later in solving crimes and prosecuting suspects.

Rocky has collected his fair share of battle wounds over the years. He survived being hit by a car while tracking a subject and surgery for a stomach injury suffered during a chase. He also lost part of his tail during a training exercise.

Officer Shane Hawley, who was a Rocky’s partner from 2004 until Rocky’s retirement earlier this year, received the award and was given one of his own: a meritorious service citation.

Rocky is now enjoying his retirement as the Hawley family pet.

Two years ago, Hawley was honored with the Chief David N. Stern Memorial Office of the Year award. This year’s recipient was Officer Anthony Collins. The award is named after Edmonds’ late police chief, who died in April 2007 at age 61 after suffering an aneurysm.

Collins was also honored with the award of excellence. He joined the department 20 years ago as a reserve and soon became a full-time officer. In 2010, working the 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift in traffic enforcement, he made 70 arrests for driving under the influence.

Awarded letters of commendation at the ceremony, which coincided with National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Week May 15-21, were Edmonds Detective Ross Sutton and officers William Nelson and Earl Yamane; D/C Nancy McAllister of the Port of Seattle Police Department; and Sgt. Jason Valentine of the Lynnwood Police Department.

Anne Johnson was named non-commissioned employee of the year. In addition to Aiden Stewart, other citizen service citations were issued to Master John Tullis, Richard Kennedy, Seth Hamlin, Marjorie Ess, Garry Arnold, Jacob Kimerer, Angela Debotten and Robert Dunbar.

Chief of Police Al Compaan praised Edmonds citizens for their overall involvement in supporting the Department. “Cell phones are a wonderful thing,” he said. “But the major thing is still the eyes and ears of citizens.”

“This is just a great opportunity to honor men and women in the community who do wonderful things,” said Mayor Mike Cooper, who worked with local police for 25 years as a lieutenant with the Shoreline Fire Department. Cooper recalled that he was a student at Edmonds’ Chase Lake Elementary School when Chief Compaan taught the first D.A.R.E (drug abuse resistance education) class.

“We honor the police,” said Cooper, “who put themselves in harm’s way every day.”