Lakewood Officers Ryan Moody, Jon Waller Receive Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor

Today, Lakewood Police Officers Ryan Moody and Jon Wallter received the state's highest law enforcement honor for their actions during a dangerous chase and shootout Dec. 9.

The pair of Lakewood officers were honored with the Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor in Olympia, with Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson on hand to hand out the honors.

In addition to Moody and Waller, fallen U.S. Park Ranger Margaret Anderson and Deputies Michael Northway and Joseph Spink from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office also received honors.

Waller and Moody received the medal for meritorious conduct for their actions Dec. 9. Here's how the state described it:

On Dec. 9, 2012, Moody and Waller working together spotted a stolen vehicle. When they attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled at a high rate of speed onto an interstate highway. When it appeared the vehicle was stopping upon exiting the highway, Moody attempted to pin the stolen vehicle’s door with his patrol vehicle. However, the driver reversed the vehicle trapping Officer Waller in the patrol vehicle front passenger seat.

The driver then started shooting at both officers with a handgun.   Both officers returned fire, killing the driver, who was wearing several layers of body armor and had made prior statements threatening “suicide by cop.”

Neither officer was wounded.

Moody has served more than seven years and Waller more than eight with the Lakewood Police Department.

Congratulations, Officers Moody and Waller. You've made all of us proud.