Police, citizens honored at sheriff’s annual awards

  • By Rikki King Herald Writer
  • Tuesday, January 18, 2011 12:01am
  • Local News

LAKE STEVENS — Monica Mason thought there was something strange about the two men walking around her quiet Tulalip neighborhood on Aug. 23.

Along with her boyfriend, Chilo Plumlee, Mason was getting ready for work. She also was keeping an eye on the men outside. When she saw what appeared to be a firearm concealed under one man’s clothing, she knew it was time to call 911.

Plumlee trained their home surveillance camera on the men and their vehicles.

Their quick-thinking provided investigators with solid evidence they needed to solve a home-invasion robbery that had taken place next door. It also earned them a Certificate of Merit at the Snohomish County Sheriff’s annual awards banquet Friday night.

The couple, along with several civilians and roughly 30 sheriff’s deputies and employees, were honored at the banquet at Cavelero Mid High School in Lake Stevens.

The night also celebrated the sheriff’s office and the county’s 150th anniversary, sheriff’s spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said.

Some of the sheriff’s awards went to those who saved lives or prevented tragedies. Other employees were honored for their hard work and leadership in various departments.

Everett Mountain Rescue volunteers were there because of a dangerous rescue they performed in early August. They had worked with search-and-rescue teams to pluck a man off Baring Mountain who was hanging there by his parachute. His chute snagged on a cliff after he attempted to jump from near the summit.

For each award, people hurried up to the stage to snap photos as their friends and family posed with their awards alongside Sheriff John Lovick.

The Deputy of the Year award went to Rebecca Lewis, who works as the school resource officer at Lynnwood High School.

In a time when budget cuts have sent many school resource officers back into squad cars, Lewis has become a respected mentor and role model for teens, sheriff’s spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said.

Lewis has gone out of her way to start new programs and find new ways to engage the students, Hover said.

“The results have been nothing short of staggering,” Hover said.

Terry Haldeman’s crime-fighting efforts earned him another top spot.

In just nine months, the detective personally recovered more than $320,000 worth of stolen vehicles, Hover said. That performance earned him Detective of the Year.

Prosecutors have joked that if they were car thieves, Haldeman’s work would convince them to switch to another vein of crime, she said.

Rikki King: rking@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3449 .

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.