Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 11, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke to Honor 39 ‘Everyday Heroes’ at ‘Washington State September 11 Memorial & Procession’

Gov. Gary Locke will honor “everyday heroes” from Washington state’s 39 counties at the “Washington State September 11 Memorial & Procession” in Seattle.

Locke invited each county to identify an “everyday hero” who made a profound difference in their communities. Among the heroes are firefighters, police officers and emergency services workers as well as volunteers at non-profit organizations and community groups.

“Every day across our state there are citizens who perform extraordinary acts of kindness and heroism,” Locke said. “It is appropriate that we remember the heroes who died on September 11 as well as honor our ‘everyday heroes’ and highlight the positive impact they make in our state and local communities.”

The statewide memorial will begin at noon at Westlake Center in downtown Seattle and will include the governor, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, King County Executive Ron Sims, religious leaders, rescue workers, choral groups and others.

The 39 “everyday heroes” will stand next to his or her county flag on the upper balcony during the memorial service at Westlake Center in downtown Seattle. After the memorial, the heroes will then carry their county flags behind the governor during the one-mile silent procession to Seattle Center.

A list of “everyday heroes” from each county is attached. This list appears on the governor’s Sept. 11 Web site at http://www.governor.wa.gov/remember/remember.htm.

# # #


Everyday Heroes
Washington State September 11 Memorial & Procession


Adams: Trooper Tyler Fryberger, Ritzville
Trooper Fryberger, a 12-year veteran with the Washington State Patrol, was awarded a commendation when he saved a 12-year-old boy from drowning. He has also served in the Navy Reserves during Desert Storm, and volunteers each week with the Ritzville youth group.

Asotin: Kim Heimgartner, Clarkston
Heimgartner aided law enforcement officers with critical information about the kidnapping of a 12-year-old girl while following the vehicle for a total of eight miles before the assailant was successfully apprehended.

Benton: David Brons, West Richland
In April of 2002, Brons, a pipe fitter, led a successful rescue effort to save a man from a sinking truck that had plunged in the Yakima River.

Chelan: Shawn Ballard, Wenatchee
Ballard, a 25-year veteran in the emergency medical service industry, has come to the aid of many, particularly a man caught in an avalanche and a drowning victim he revived back to life after the person was underwater for an hour. Ballard’s brother Scott will carry the flag for Shawn.

Clallam: Jim McLaughlin and Rob Edwards, Port Angeles
McLaughlin and Edwards, both volunteers of the Search and Rescue group, spend countless volunteer hours in training and in missions to provide rescue efforts for citizens and visitors.

Clark: Rebekah Wood, Camas
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Wood, a fifth grader, participated in a pedal-a-thon to help raise money for the children of Afghanistan. In just five minutes, she completed 150 revolutions and raised $1,295. She has also received an award from the Red Cross in honor of her efforts.

Columbia: Sophie Arebalos (posthumous recognition), Dayton
Arebalos served as a volunteer in the formative stages of Project Timothy, an outreach program serving disadvantaged people with food, clothing and fundamental assistance. Husband Juan Arebalos and daughter, Elizabeth Arebalos-Jagelski, will carry the county’s flag in her honor.

Cowlitz: Rosa Cervantes, Woodland
Known locally as “The Angel in the White Truck,” Cervantes has been instrumental in organizing a vital Community Service Center in Woodland. Through her work with the disadvantaged, she has helped feed hundreds of families, directed veterans to health services, and looked after the needs of the elderly.

Douglas: Mike Utley, Orondo
A former professional football player for the Detroit Lions, Utley was paralyzed after an injury to his spinal cord during a game in November 1991. He has become a role model and an activist for finding a cure for spinal injuries.

Franklin: Robert "Bob" Koch, Connell
Koch has been the volunteer fire chief of Connell for over 12 years and for Franklin County, District 1 for over 13 years. On August 29, 2001 his business caught on fire and burned down. Bob managed to escape but was in critical condition with over 60 percent of his body being burned.

Grant: Kathy Leffler, Moses Lake
Leffler works as a volunteer on highway safety and a community-based task force for safety. Her work includes local law enforcement and schools on safety campaigns, specifically the programs that alert students to the dangers of drunk driving.

Grays Harbor: Dennis York (posthumous recognition), Cosmopolis
York was a member of the Cosmopolis Fire Department from 1975 until his death in 1985. In 1986 the fire department dedicated a response vehicle in York’s memory and The Denny York Historical Museum was named in his honor and displays historical fire equipment. Bill Smith from the Cosmopolis Fire Department will carry the county flag in York’s honor.

Island: Deputy Sheriff Rob Davison, Oak Harbor
Davison’s keen awareness, commitment to safety and life-saving skills earned him the highest commendation and the State of Washington’s Life Saving medal.

Jefferson: John Saum, Port Ludlow
Saum has served as a Jefferson County Reserve Deputy since 1997, and as such has donated nearly 3,000 hours accompanying deputies on patrol and securing crime scenes. He also worked for 2,500 hours to design a Y2K-compliant software program for the Sheriff’s Department.

King: Norm Mar, Ph.D., Seattle
Mar is a psychologist with the Seattle Police Department and clinical director, team leader and member of the advisory board of King County Crisis Intervention Stress Management.

Kitsap: Pete Ball, Port Orchard
Ball, a Deputy Sheriff with 22 years of experience with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, currently serves as Community Resource Officer. He has implemented numerous safety and crime prevention programs in his community.

Kittitas: Patty Butcher, Cle Elum
Butcher is a paramedic for Kittitas County Hospital District #2 and Cle Elum.

Klickitat: The Hon. Mark Sigfrinius, Goldendale
In May 1989, Seattle Police Officer Sigfrinius was shot in the line of duty and paralyzed. Facing life in a wheelchair, Sigfrinius began a new career as mayor of the City of Goldendale and has brought millions of dollars into the city with new road projects and commerce. He also received of the Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor in June.

Lewis: Chief Mike Kytta, Centralia
Since he was 16 years old, Lewis has been a volunteer at the Centralia Fire Department and has a total of 26 years of experience. He has been the Chief of Fire District #12 since 1996.

Lincoln: Terry J. Engelson, Wilbur
Engelson serves as the assistant chief of the Wilbur Fire Department and has been a member since 1974. Previously, Engelson served as a Wilbur City Council member from 1981-1984, past president and board member of the Lions Club and a volunteer with the Wilbur Boy Scout Troop 779.

Mason: Jill Evander, Shelton
Evander has worked at Shelton Police Department Communications Division for nearly 20 years. Her quick thinking, initiative and perseverance epitomize the very nature and function of 911 communications officers. In participating, Evander is representing the 10 911 communications officers in the Shelton Police Department.

Okanogan: Don Eddy, Omak
Eddy, a police officer with the Omak Police Department, was shot in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence complaint four years ago. His partner, Officer Mike Marshall, was killed and Officer Eddy subdued the assailant while wounded. He still carries bullet fragments from his wounds.

Pacific: Alan Ashley and Gary Spoor, South Bend
Raised in South Bend, Ashley has been a volunteer firefighter for the City of South Bend for 16 years and fire chief for the last five years. Spoor has been a volunteer firefighter for South Bend for more than 10 years. He has been active in community affairs and the local educational system.

Pierce: Sheriff Sergeant Cynthia Fajardo, Roy
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Fajardo returned to work at Ground Zero for 10 days in her capacity as a rescue manager with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Urban Search and Rescue Team. She has been with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for 14 years.

San Juan: Deputy Herbert L. Crowe, Orcas Island
Deputy Crowe was commended for his quick thinking and heroic actions by risking his personal safety, to shut off valves to a large storage tank that had leaked over 1,000 gallons of gasoline.

Skagit: Bill McIllraith, Mt. Vernon
In the past 11 years, McIllraith has volunteered his time on skilled construction and installation of home adaptations, such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars and railings. In 2001, he installed more than 30 wheelchair ramps and 120 grab bars. In his spare time, he regularly visits with seniors and disabled adults in their homes, retirement centers and hospitals. David Hockensmith will carry the county flag in McIllraith’s honor.

Skamania: John Carlson, Stevenson
Carlson is a member of Wind River Search who routinely puts himself at risk many times during the course of the year. An unsung hero, he has always stressed that he is just doing his job.

Snohomish: Gary Weikel, Everett
Weikel is the deputy executive of Snohomish County who in his work and private life has exhibited leadership, generosity, compassion and sense of humor, representing the best qualities of an everyday hero.

Spokane: Col. Randal D. Fullhart
Col. Fullhart is the Commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The wing provides four squadrons of KC-135 aircraft and aircrews to support worldwide military missions, refueling fighter, bomber, and airlift aircraft as well as providing rapid and reliable passenger and cargo airlift.

Thurston: Jordan Wyman, Lacey
On Aug. 21, 2002, seven-year-old Wyman rescued a drowning infant at a community center swimming pool in Jackson Hole, Wyo. He attends Lakes Elementary School in Lacey.

Wahkiakum: Fred A. Johnson, Cathlamet
Johnson is the current prosecuting attorney for Wahkiakum County, serves as the assistant chief of the Cathlamet Fire Department, where he has been a volunteer for more than 25 years. He has served in fire and EMS organizations through both the county and the region.

Walla Walla: Patrick Mohney, Waitsburg
Mohney’s quick action and courage saved a young girl and her mother from a potentially fatal dog mauling in 2001. He is currently an employee of Walla Walla County Public Works and McGregor Company, Waitsburg.

Whatcom: Neil Clement, Everson
Since 1993, Clement is the deputy director of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management and served as the deputy incident commander during the response to the Whatcom Creek pipeline explosion.

Whitman: James Potts, Lamont
Potts is a third-generation, lifelong resident of Whitman County and represents the county’s agricultural heritage. He served as a county commissioner from 1993-1996 and as fire commissioner for 17 years.

Yakima: Joyce Day, Yakima City
Day is a local volunteer with the Red Cross and aided in the Sept. 11 clean-up efforts in New York City.

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive