BELLINGHAM — A state trooper from Whatcom County died Thursday from an apparent medical emergency while on duty near Yakima.
The Bellingham Herald reported that Brent L. Hanger, 47, was following up on a tip about a marijuana grow operation when he started having chest pains and shortness of breath. The Washington State Patrol says Hanger died Thursday morning.
The Yakima Herald reported that his body was airlifted from the Chinook Pass area to an airstrip, then brought to Yakima in a procession of troopers and deputies.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Friday morning.
Hanger was hired by the patrol in 1998 and spent his entire career based in Whatcom County, but he also worked in Skagit, Island and Snohomish counties.
He received an award of merit for helping to save the life of a suicidal person in 2000.
He is survived by his wife and six children.
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