LEORF News

Hero Spotlight: WACOPS Heroes

By March 11, 2024 No Comments

I.U.P.A. Local Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs Law Enforcement Associates, #27 awarded four officers this year with the Mark Brinkman Distinguished Service Award. A video of the event can be viewed here.

  • Officer Jacob Schrader
  • Detective Ben Miller
  • Detective Ben Wheeler
  • Sergeant Dan Dusevoir

The Mark Brinkman Distinguished Service Award was named for Mark Brinkman who was an officer for thirty-five years, beginning his law enforcement career in the City of Langley, before transferring to the Island County Sheriff’s Office and finally spending his last twenty-five years with the Lynnwood Police Department. Mark’s life and career in law enforcement was remarkable in many ways – present in the way he impacted the working environment of his colleagues and his contributions to community safety, in addition to his commitment to the place he lived, worshipped, and volunteered. Mark was a beacon of connection. Evident in the way he treated those he loved as well as the citizens he came into contact with, always with dignity and kindness.

Officer Jacob Schrader

WA Dept. Fish and Wildlife Police

On May 14, 2021, Officer Schrader responded to a 911 call from a distraught Mother. Her one-year-old son had become unconscious and was turning blue after experiencing a seizure. Officer Schrader responded to the scene and was met by the mother carrying her lifeless son. Recognizing that the child was moments from death, Officer Schrader knew he must take immediate action. Officer Schrader knew that transport would be too long to wait for, so he took the unconscious baby and while cradling him and providing airway support drove to the local hospital.  Because of Officer Schrader’s fast action and selflessness, the infant regained consciousness at the hospital.

Officer Jacob Schrader is pictured with Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs (left) and WACOPS President Chris Tracy (right).

Detective Ben Miller and Detective Ben Wheeler

King County Sheriff’s Office

On March 20th, 2023, King County Sheriff’s Detectives Ben Miller, Ben Wheeler, and David Easterly were serving an Eviction Order at a Seattle apartment. The Order called for the removal of any occupants and for the property to be turned over to the lawful owner.

After repeated commands for the occupant to vacate the premises. The detectives breached the door and were met with a volley of gunfire. Det. Easterly was severely wounded. Recognizing the ongoing peril of Easterly’s position, Det. Miller and Det. Wheeler worked as a team to extract Det. Easterly. Without hesitation, Det. Wheeler continued to return gunfire with the subject while Det. Miller provided immediate First Aid relying on their natural instincts and years of training, their heroic actions saved Detective Easterly. Det. Easterly lost a kidney and suffers from only 30% function in the remaining one. He endured dozens of surgeries and weeks at Harborview Medical Center. We all are grateful to the fast action of Detectives Ben Miller and Ben Wheeler.

Detective Ben Miller and Detective Ben Wheeler are pictured with Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to the left of Detective Ben Miller who is standing next to Detective Ben Wheeler. To his right is WACOPS President Chris Tracy with Sergeant Bob Lurry on the far right.

Sergeant Dan Dusevoir

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office

In the early morning hours on June 6th, Sgt. Dusevoir responded to a residential fire in which two homes were on fire. Sgt. Dusevoir, who was in the area and first on scene, responded to the call for help and acted without hesitation, and saved lives. Sgt. Dusevoir was the first responder on scene where a home was already on fire and a second home was quick to follow. Sgt. Dusevoir kicked in the front door of the home where people were believed to be inside, ran up the stairs where the home was now filled with smoke, and started to call out to anyone inside. Two occupants emerged from the smoke towards Sgt. Dusevoir, and he quickly escorted them out of the house. Safely outside and within minutes of his quick and heroic actions, the fire spread to the upstairs.

The I.U.P.A. and LEORF Hero Spotlight shines a light on LEOs whose heroism, quick thinking, and dedication are examples to those in our profession and remind us all why we put on the uniform every day. Previous Hero Spotlights have included:

Run in Honor of Trooper Zachary Fink
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