Wash. Deputy Wins National Heroics Award

April 27, 2012

The National Sheriffs' Association named Kitsap County Sheriff's Deputy Krista McDonald as its Charles "Bud" Meeks Award recipient for deputy sheriff of the year.

April 27--PORT ORCHARD -- Kitsap County Sheriff's Deputy Krista McDonald has earned nationwide accolades for her role in disabling a shooting suspect who had shot and wounded two officers at the Port Orchard Walmart.

The National Sheriffs' Association named McDonald as its Charles "Bud" Meeks Award recipient for deputy sheriff of the year, the organization recently announced in a news release.

McDonald "exhibited selfless bravery and courage at a time when it was needed the most," the organization said in awarding her the honor.

She was one of three deputies who responded to the Port Orchard Walmart on Jan. 23, 2011 for a report of a "suspicious couple," one of whom was a suspected 13-year-old runaway girl from Utah, the other a fugitive.

When the fugitive opened fire and wounded the two other deputies, McDonald returned fire, wounding the man and sending him to the ground. The fugitive then killed himself and the runaway, though McDonald performed first aid in an attempt to save her life.

McDonald, a 1990 graduate of Olympic High School, has been in law enforcement more than 14 years.

The Alexandria, Va.-based National Sheriffs' Association represents more than 3,000 elected sheriffs across the country, totaling a membership of more than 20,000.