- Host a Class -

Email Sgt Don Gulla or Call (206) 396-7040 to Host a Class at your location.

Ask about the benefits available as the hosting agency

On Wednesday, February 03, 2010 at approximately 1355, the Suquamish Police Department was dispatched to a report of a residence on fire in the 14400 Block of George Lane.  Officers were advised that a portion of the residence was engulfed in flames, and that residents were evacuating the building.  This residence was known to contain a wheelchair bound Tribal elder, so all available units responded to the scene.

Detective Gary Drake was the first to arrive on scene.  Seeing no one outside, he entered the burning, smoke filled house, where he encountered the wheelchair bound elder.  Detective Drake picked up the wheelchair and elder, and removed them from burning house, and then quickly did a sweep of the residence for other potential victims.  Detective Sergeant Penner arrived on scene a moment later, and took care of the elder, getting them further away from the fire scene, and turning them over to the care of a neighbor.

Detective Drake and Detective Sergeant Penner then worked together to fight the fire, preventing it from spreading further by using fire extinguishers.  The North Kitsap and Poulsbo Fire Departments arrived, and Suquamish officers directed them to where the flames were, and fire incident command took over the firefighting duties, and did their normal outstanding job.

Preliminary investigation indicates the fire was caused by some items that ignited because they were too close to a wood burning stove.  The smoke detectors in the residence went off, and awoke the resident from a nap.  Upon seeing the fire, they dialed 911 for help.

The resident and Detective Drake were checked by fire fighters for smoke inhalation, and both were uninjured.

Chief Lasnier said “We’re all extremely proud of these officers.  Without their quick thinking, courage, and decisive actions, the outcome of this situation would have been much different.  The fact that no one was injured in this incident, and that an elder’s home and possessions were saved, is undeniably a result of the actions of Detective Drake and Detective Sergeant Penner.  I’m humbled and honored to be able to work side by side with such outstanding cops”.

 SUQUAMISH POLICE  DEPARTMENT

 18490 Suquamish Way, Suite #105 / P.O. Box 1021

   Suquamish WA 98392   OFFICE (360) 598-4334