Tumwater honors police promotions and life‑saving actions at council meeting

At its April 21 meeting, Tumwater honored several police personnel actions: the promotion of Rachel Johnson and Peter Navaro to sergeant, and life‑saving awards and a department medal of valor for officers involved in a September 19, 2025 rescue.

Acting Police Chief Killes introduced the promotions and highlighted officers’ service histories; family members participated in the pinning. Sergeant Johnson told the council she felt honored and vowed to serve the department and community. Council members offered public congratulations and described the value of seeing officers as community members and neighbors.

The chief also presented life‑saving awards to Sergeant Chris Trestler, Sergeant Randy Bond, Officer Chase Grimit and Officer Jack Batimer for actions during a critical incident in which a pregnant woman had sustained life‑threatening injuries. Acting Sergeant Tim Rios was recognized with the department’s medal of valor for personally breaching a vehicle, extracting the woman and initiating life‑saving first aid before advanced medical care arrived. Chief and award recipients said the officers’ coordinated actions stabilized the victim and her unborn child.

“Because of the officers standing before you this evening, that did not happen,” Sergeant Trestler said, describing the team response and the department training that made the rescue possible. Council members and the mayor praised the officers and their families for service to the community.

The council concluded the recognitions with a series of photo opportunities and expressions of appreciation to the department and to supporting partner agencies including Tumwater Fire Department and the Thirsten County Sheriff’s Office.