Chief commends three officers
By Terry Murry on Thursday, January 14th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Police Chief Scott Bieber has written letters of commendation for three officers following a weekend of mental health calls and acts of violence. Officers Michael Earney, Eric Eastman, and David Garland are commended for their restraint and use of training. Bieber said in two incidents lethal force could have been justified but was not employed.
Officer Michael Earney responded to a call on East Alder just before midnight. A female had called 911 and reported that a man was pointing a shotgun at people in the house. While waiting for assistance form the Walla Walla Regional SWAT Team, Earney spotted the subject coming out of a bedroom.
“Recognizing he was not armed, Officer Earney was able to challenge the subject and use non-lethal force to take the subject into custody before getting back to the room that contained the shotgun,” a prepared news release stated.
K-9 Officer Eric Eastman was on a routine patrol when he saw a victim running down Stadium Drive asking for help. During that contact, dispatch notified Eastman that a shooting was occurring at 911 Stadium Drive. Eastman, acing on his own, directed victims (one of whom was shot) away from the house and encountered the shooter exiting the home with the gun in his hand.
“Officer Eastman was able to challenge the suspect and take him into custody, most likely stopping a second homicide from occurring,” the release stated.
Officer David Garland, along with Walla Walla Fire Department Capt. Eric Wood, were succe3ssful in positioning themselves so they could intervene and save a person’s life during a mental health crisis. The subject, who was threatening to kill himself, was on top of a Whitman College building with a rope around his neck.
“When the victim went to adjust the rope, Officer Garland and Capt. Wood recognized it was an opportunity to intervene and successfully removed the victim from the ledge and detained him for transport to the hospital for further care,” Bieber wrote.
The chief said that WWPD officers go through extensive training to help them during high-stress situations, and the department will continue to seek out training that helps them make the best decisions to bring favorable outcomes for the officers, victims, and suspects.
