Renton Police Department Life-Saving and Medal of Valor Awards

OFCR. MAZURE; LIFE SAVING AWARD: On March 19, 2021, Ofcr. Mazure responded to assist on what was reported as a vehicle collision at the intersection of S Grady Wy & Shattuck Ave S. Unbeknownst to Ofcr. Mazure, the driver had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, causing major trauma to their face, jaw, and neck. After assessing the driver’s injuries, Ofcr. Mazure began to provide emergent trauma care to stop the bleeding and applied pressure to the wounds until advanced medical treatment was onscene. Medics later advised the injured subject underwent several surgeries and was later released from the hospital. They also advised the driver suffered a major arterial bleed and had it not been for the immediate efforts of Ofcr. Mazure, the subject would have succumbed to their wounds at the scene.

OFCR. CARSTENSEN; MEDAL OF VALOR: On August 09, 2021, Ofcr. Carstensen responded to an armed barricaded subject actively discharging a firearm from the inside of a residence toward neighboring houses and first responders. The reporting parties to this incident were still inside the residence and too frightened to leave. While under fire, Ofcr. Carstensen and his team acted purposefully to ensure the safe exit of two residents, evacuated nearby homes, and maintained containment for over 90 minutes until tactical support elements arrived.

OFCR. TIBEAU; LIFE SAVING AWARD: On April 13, 2022, Ofcr. Tibeau assisted a team of officers who contacted a subject armed with a handgun at the Metro Park and Ride. Officers were initially able to redirect the suspect away from nearby citizens utilizing de-escalation techniques. Ultimately, the suspect advanced on officers while raising his firearm directly at them. This assault was met with lethal force to stop the imminent threat and keep the surrounding community safe. Officers’ response stopped the threat and during the encounter the suspect sustained a gunshot wound. Officers quickly provided trauma care. Ofcr. Tibeau assessed the subject for injury and located a wound to their leg that appeared to have struck the femoral artery. He applied a tourniquet in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Ofcr. Tibeau could see the tourniquet was not stemming blood loss, and conscious of the seriousness of the injury he purposefully used his fingers to apply direct pressure to the artery inside of the wound, significantly slowing the loss of blood. According to responding Medics, if Ofcr. Tibeau had not provided this emergent care the subject would have likely succumbed to his injuries. The subject recovered from his injuries.

OFFICERS ADAM AND PAGET; LIFE SAVING AWARD: On June 08, 2022, Officers Adam and Paget responded to a suicidal subject. Upon arrival they did not receive an answer at the residence but were granted access by an arriving relative. Soon after they entered the home, they located the suicidal subject who was unresponsive as a result of a hanging attempt. Officers Adam and Paget immediately went into action, summoned medics, and began to provide immediate trauma care for the subject. They were later transported to the hospital where they were treated for their physical injuries and placed on a mental health hold for evaluation. Without Officers Adam & Paget’s response and immediate life-saving acts, the victim may not have survived this suicide attempt.

OFFICERS CHRISTIANSEN, EDMUNDS, MOYNIHAN, BILLS, RAYGOZA, THIELMAN, WISNEWSKI, and SERGEANT SUMMERS; MEDAL OF VALOR / LIFE SAVING AWARD: In the early morning hours of July 23, 2022, officers were dispatched to sounds of illegal discharges coming from the Musician’s Hall located in the 100 Block of Logan Ave South. As officers were arriving, they were met with active gunfire and observed multiple victims laying in the street. Officers swiftly began to attempt to secure the area and render aid to the victims. A total of eight subjects with gunshot wounds were located at the scene. Officers quickly began triaging and performing emergent trauma care and life-saving measures.

Due to the extreme chaos at the scene, a call for a multi-jurisdictional response was summoned. Approximately 150 family members and partygoers quickly turned their attention towards officers and began to assault them, while also damaging patrol vehicles as officers were attempting to provide trauma care to those suffering life-threatening injuries. This did not dissuade officers who continued their duties as gunshots rang out in the area, making evacuation of injured victims or the arrival of advanced medical professionals close to impossible. This went on for approximately 20 minutes until those injured could be evacuated from the area and transported to trauma care facilities.

The ensuing investigation revealed there were a total of eleven gunshot wound victims. Unfortunately, despite officers’ best efforts, one of the victims succumbed to their injuries. Officers later located four firearms within the crime scene and approximately 96 shell casings from both rifles and handguns. Needless to say, if it wasn’t for the bravery of responding officers who risked their lives providing medical treatment to numerous injured subjects, but also dutifully managed the safety at the scene for the surrounding public, the health and welfare of those injured would have been severely jeopardized.