Centralia Police Department officers Philip Weismiller and Ruben Ramirez are awarded the Medal of Distinction, the police department's second highest award, at the Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday night.
The Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday night was packed with emergency responders as the Centralia Police Department recognized its officers, employees and volunteers during an awards ceremony.
Two officers received the Medal of Distinction, the police department’s second highest award.
“It is awarded to department members who distinguish themselves in the line of duty by acts of personal bravery, not falling within the guidelines for the Medal of Valor,” Police Chief Carl Nielsen said, adding it is presented in the form of a medal, a ribbon bar and a certificate.
Officers Philip Weismiller and Ruben Ramirez received the honor for their brave acts on the morning of March 4 when the department was advised of a residential fire in the 900 block of Ham Hill Road that claimed the lives of three children, Ben Tower, 12, Maddy, 10, and Sam, 7.
When officers arrived, they found a fully involved structure fire and a woman, Sue Tower, who told officers her three children were inside. Officers Ramirez and Weismiller made several attempts to get into the burning building, but one location after another was blocked by the growing flames, Nielsen said.
“Finally, it was decided that the only other alternative was to try the windows above the garage,” Nielsen said. “This requires climbing onto the half roof adjacent to the children’s bedroom windows.”
Neither officer was tall enough to do it on their own, so Ramirez climbed on the hood of a car in the driveway, and Weismiller climbed on his shoulders to reach the roof.
After several attempts, Weismiller was able to break the window, but the heat and flames that surged out of the window drove him back from the opening. He received several cuts from the broken and flying glass, and lost a portion of one of his fingers.
“For their actions on the morning of March 4, 2016, Officer Philip Weismiller and Officer Ruben Ramirez are awarded the Centralia Police Department’s Medal of Distinction,” Nielsen said.
Others recognized at the ceremony included Tracy Wiese, who received the Chief’s Award, an honor given at the discretion of the chief of police to someone who has contributed to the success of the department’s mission, going “above and beyond” daily expectations.
Wiese received the award for his work during the fall months of 2015 and into January of 2016 when he conducted meetings with every financial institution in the city. The meetings evaluated protocols the institutions had in place if an incident occurred that required police response. Wiese retired more than 25 years ago but offered his volunteer service to the city, “a testament to his dedication, determination and character.”
Two Life Saving Awards were given to officers Neil Hoium and Douglas Lowrey for their actions that “directly contributed to saving or significantly prolonging human life.”
Hoium was given the award for his actions on Dec. 21, 2015, when he responded to assist the Riverside Fire Authority with an unconscious male at an auto dealership. He was the first to arrive and immediately began CPR on the unresponsive man. He continued until he was relieved by responding fire and rescue personnel.
Lowery was given the honor for his actions on April 7 when he responded to assist Riverside Fire Authority with an unconscious, unresponsive 70-year-old man. He was the first to arrive and initiated CPR until the patient was revived.
The Reserve Officer of the Year was awarded to Patrick berg, who has been a reserve police officer for the past 10 years. He has consistently attended training and helped with special community events, the chief said.
The Award for Meritorious Service was given to Patrick Fitzgerald, who led the detective division for the police department as detective sergeant from 2009 until his promotion to commander in 2016. Fitzgerald successfully supervised and/or participated in the investigation of at least 130 high-level felony cases such as arsons, assaults, robberies, homicides and sexual assaults. Under his leadership, the detective division had over a 76 percent clearance rate for those crimes.
The Civilian Employee of the Year award went to Taresa Robertson, police records technician, for her instrumental role in developing procedures and guidelines for the department in regards to public disclosure. She manages the requests and still keeps current on her other duties as the primary support for the detective division, and in her role of the records division.
The Commissioned Employee of the Year award to recognize consistently exemplary work, beyond what is expected, was given to the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team. Comprised of the Centralia and Chehalis police departments, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Office of Homeland Security, the team’s primary goal is to get drugs and drug dealers off the streets.
During 2015, JNET served 62 warrants throughout Lewis and surrounding counties, made 240 arrests, confiscated 117 guns and seized 5.75 pounds of cocaine, 14.75 pounds of heroin, 141 pounds of marijuana, 1,022 marijuana plants, 42.25 pounds of meth and 8,950 other drugs or pills.
The Volunteer of the Year award went to Kay Cox, who has been a dedicated volunteer for the police department for the past 20 years. She recently retired. Cox was recognized for her “tremendous work ethic and impeccable attention to detail.”
Certificates of Commendation were presented to Officers Angie Humphrey and Tracy Murphy.
Humphrey was honored for her role in the March 4 house fire on Ham Hill where she attempted to gain access into the residence in an effort to reach the three Tower children that were lost. Unable to enter due to the flames and heat, Humphrey focused her efforts on Sue Tower, the mother, who was becoming increasingly distraught. She helped move the mother to a safe location as other officers focused on the rescue.
Murphy was commended for assisting Riverside Fire Authority with a grass fire in the 900 block of Main Street in Centralia. He was the first to arrive and immediately began redirecting responding units to the correct location, which was south of First Street and east of Orton Street. The fire endangered at least one structure, an unoccupied residence, and Murphy grabbed a garden hose and stopped the encroaching flames mere feet from the residence.
Two Citizen’s Commendations were awarded to community members.
Deborah Porter, a Centralia resident, received the recognition for her role on March 4 when the residence next to hers was engulfed in flames. She called 911, and then tried to find a way into the residence. Driven back by heat, she refocused her efforts on the despondent mother from entering and becoming the fire’s fourth victim, Nielsen said. She opened her house to the mother of the children, investigators, police and the media, providing coffee, restroom facilities and continued moral support.
David and Julie Danton also received the Citizen’s Commendation for their actions on Feb. 11 when a large steer-buffalo hybrid escaped from Cascade West Veterinary Hospital where it was being treated. The animal could not be contained or recaptured by Centralia Police units. Danton, with his expertise as a wrangler and his access to a tranquilizer dart rifle, responded without hesitation. Nielsen said the Dantons’ assistance helped avoid injuries to citizens, officers and the animal itself.
