The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office recognized more than 40 employees and volunteers Feb. 18 at its annual awards ceremony.
The ceremony included a tribute to those who responded to the Highway 530 Oso slide that killed 43 people March 22, 2014.
“2014 was a year of many changes, and challenges and I’m honored to recognize the staff and volunteers who went above and beyond in so many ways,” Sheriff Ty Trenary said. “Those in our agency who responded to the slide and Marysville-Pilchuck High School shooting were deeply affected and humbled by the community support we received.”
Deputies and officers were recognized for responding to the more notable of the 257,000 calls the agency received last year. Several corrections employees received awards for their work in implementing changes that made the jail a safer place for staff and inmates.
Letter of Commendation: Jason M. Thomas; Sandra Klein; Emily Beaton; deputies Judith Saarinen, Jon Barnett, Jim Atwood, Jason Harris, Randall Murphy, Chris Marino, Will Ter-Veen, Don Lorenz and Chris Leyda; detective Michael Martin, BSOs Pamela Kavanagh and John Crowe; MPD Matt Calnon; and Sgt. Adam Fortney.
Certificate of Merit: Lts. Monte Beaton and Todd Swenson; David Oster and Joyce Diedrichs; Leon Zainwel and Ed DaPra; and Rebecca Koontz.
Life Saving Medal: Corrections deputies Craig Ottulich, Clinton Billen, Robert Butchart and Rick Fenton; deputies Carl Whalen, Tedd Betts, Ryan Boyer, and Jon Barnett; Master Patrol Deputy Daniel Johnson; detective Jeff Ross; Chief Tony Aston; Marshal Kathy Marino; Sgt. Dan Young; and Oscar Kelly.
Oso Slide Tribute, Certificate of Merit: Detective Terry Haldeman; the Helicopter Rescue Team and Air Operations Support represented by Ernie Zeller; Washington Task Force 1 represented by Lt. Cindy Fajardo, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office; Officer Aaron Snell, Everett Police Department; Major Crimes Unit represented by Sgt. Shawn Stich and detectives Brad Walvatne, Scott Wells, Brad Pince and Dave Fontenot; The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office represented by investigator Carlos Colon; K9 Search and Rescue represented by Seth Stone and Sable; Search and Rescue Swiftwater represented by Josh Warren; Operations Support Unit represented by Tim Dehnhoff; and the excavators represented by Rhonda Cook.
Explorer of the Year: Robert Pasemore
Reserve Deputy of the Year: Pennie Sargent
Volunteer of the Year: Karl Myers
Civilian Employee of the Year: Corrections Assistant Michel Swenson
Corrections Deputy of the Year: Lance Kenyon
Patrol Deputy of the Year: Deputy Glen Bergstrom
Detective of the Year: Peter Teske
Supervisor of the Year: Maj. Jamie Kane
