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Lake Stevens Police department swears in new officer; recognizes employees for arrests, rescues and operational projects
Summary
At its March 11 meeting the Lake Stevens City Council and police chief swore in Officer Eric Everest and presented awards including officer of the year, a rescue award, leadership and supervisory recognitions, and certificates for community-policing work.
Lake Stevens Police Chief (identified in the meeting as Chief Azizo) administered the oath of office March 11 to newly sworn Officer Eric Everest and used the council meeting to present multiple staff awards recognizing arrests, lifesaving work, records and technology improvements, volunteer service and community-engagement efforts.
Everest, hired Aug. 27, 2024 from the U.S. Marine Corps, graduated from the Burien police academy on March 5 and will remain on field training until June 19, 2025, the chief said while swearing him in.
The department also presented the 2024 Officer of the Year award to Corporal Chris Lyons. Chief Azizo said Lyons led the department in physical arrests during 2024, recording "well over 100 physical arrests" and making several felony-level apprehensions including eluding, residential burglary, stolen firearms and assaults on officers. The chief noted Lyons's selection as a corporal in 2024 and his role in supervision and mentorship.
Officers were recognized for a lifesaving response at North Cove Boat Launch: Officer Lanto and Deputy Shane Wheeler entered cold water after a vehicle drove into the lake, accessed the vehicle and rescued an entrapped woman, and the department presented them with an award of merit.
Staff awards included a leadership award to Administrative Manager Julie Hubert and Administrative Assistant Jessica Dreher (credited for leading the police department's SharePoint migration with the city IT team and vendor StoneShare to improve document retention and search) and recognition for the records supervisor (named in the meeting as Arion/Erin) for management and training of a newly assembled records unit. Sergeant Hingeon (identified as the outstanding supervisor) and long-serving volunteer Candy also received recognition. Officer Amber Sharouse received a certificate of accommodation for her work with Snohomish County's LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) program.
Detective Corporal Kristen Parnell and Detective Bassett were noted for public-education work that included presentations and media coverage on child-protection topics; Bassett was not present because he was at an out-of-town conference.
The chief closed by thanking council and the community for support of the police department. The swearing-in and awards were presented during the council meeting and were ceremonial acknowledgments of individual and team accomplishments; no council legislative action was recorded in relation to the awards.
