EVERETT – Julie Britton had been out on the road enough with her husband, a sergeant with the Everett Police Department, to know that the man sprinting across Everett Mall Way was not on a leisurely jog.
“I knew he was running from something, and then I saw the officers following him,” she said.
Britton, who was on errands for work, whipped her car around. She drove after the man and up onto the sidewalk to stop him. Officers were able to arrest the man, who was wanted for forgery.
“Every one of these men and women hold a place in my heart. I didn’t think about it. I just knew these guys needed my help,” she said.
Britton, 37, was one of a handful of civilians who received certificates of appreciation for their service to the Everett Police Department during the annual awards ceremony Monday.
“I was half scared and half proud,” said Britton’s husband, Sgt. Tony Britton. “I don’t think they would have caught him without her help.”
About 100 people gathered at the Elks Lodge to honor the men and women who go the extra mile to keep the city safe.
Officer Rod Wolfington was named officer of the year for his tenacious police work.
“He’s a really good problem solver,” said Lt. Kathy Atwood.
Atwood recalled a day when radio communications went down last fall for about an hour and Wolfington came up with a plan so officers could continue to answer 911 calls.
Wolfington, 38, is a very gifted investigator and interrogator, with a talent for getting the truth out of crooks, Atwood said.
“He’s also really fast and can catch just about anyone he’s chasing,” she said.
Awards also were given to residents who volunteer with the department and civilians, such as Britton, who stepped up to the challenge of helping those in need.
Ronald Hicks was given a certificate of appreciation for giving a choking woman the Heimlich maneuver at Evergreen Lanes.
Hicks, the bowling coach at Cascade High School, was at practice when the woman, 77, fell to the floor.
He was able to clear her airway so she could breathe. Hicks, 59, sat with the woman until medics arrived and then went back to coaching.
The woman gave Hicks a check for his efforts. He donated it to the Medic One in her name.
It was the second time Hicks had given the Heimlich to someone choking at a bowling alley.
“I take first-aid classes. I guess it’s a good thing I do. I just hope I don’t have to do it again,” he said.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
The following is a list of other award recipients honored by the Everett Police Department on Monday:
Recently retired deputy police chief Bob Stiles was named supervisor of the year. Stiles, who retired last week after nearly 30 years with the department, was recognized for his leadership and many contributions to improving the department through the years.
Property room specialist Lisa Romberg was named civilian employee of the year. Romberg was recognized for her hard work training the new staff for the department’s property and evidence facility.
Toan Nguyen, an intern from the University of Washington, was named volunteer of the year. He has worked more than 500 hours helping to improve the department’s Web site and develop a slide show computer program.
Officer Kevin O’Brien was given the Brian Dibucci Award, which patrol captains give to model patrol officers. He is known for making excellent reports and initiating investigations.
Record supervisor Lisa Grimm received a certificate of merit for her dedication to making the annual charity basketball game a success. The Unity Game raised $6,600 for Snohomish County Special Olympics in 2003 and the game was attended by more than 250 people.
Records specialist Anita Morrison was given a certificate of merit for her dedication in promoting and raising money for the Unity Game.
Officer Steve Sieverson was awarded a certificate of merit for the care he showed a sexual assault victim. The woman wrote a letter saying that Sieverson was like “an angel sent from God” and the only one that made her feel safe following the assault.
Officer Jamie French was given a certificate of merit for her dedication in promoting and managing the Unity Game.
Pearl Applin was given a certificate of appreciation for assisting a woman who had been kidnapped and pushed out of a moving vehicle on U.S. 2. Applin spotted the woman walking along the highway and called 911. Applin, who is fluent in Spanish, provided translation when police arrived. Her assistance was crucial in the arrest of the suspect.
Joe Dreimiller, a former Everett parks ranger, received a certificate of appreciation after he tackled a suspect who attempted to swim away from his victims at Silver Lake. Dreimiller held the suspect until police arrived.
Dasilva Dennison was awarded a certificate of appreciation after reuniting a man suffering from Alzheimer’s disease with his wife. The man, 85, was lost after he walked away from his wife at the Everett Mall. Dennison took the man to the Everett Police Department’s south precinct, where he was reunited with his wife.
A number of senior citizens were given certificates of appreciation for volunteering with the Seniors Against Crime program. The seniors volunteered more than 4,600 hours to the department. They include: Carol Arjona, Ove Bergan, Chet Brown, Ken Clafin, Marvel Cummings, Clyde Gardner, Eugene Hasson, Carolyn Hultz, Kal Leichtman, Marion Lockleer, Charles Moore, Eva Powers, Vern Redden, Pat Rollins, Neal Shannon, Vi Shannon, Ed Slagle, Margo Spencer, Fran Taralli and Sam Taralli.
Emily Roberson and Selgars Spade were also given certificates of appreciation for volunteering with the department.
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