The Washougal Police Department and the City of Washougal are proud to announce that Officer Francis Reagan was presented with the Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor by Governor Jay Inslee for a heroic water rescue on the Washougal River in May 2019.
“We are extremely proud of Officer Francis Reagan and his unselfish action to protect the life of another,” said Chief Wendi Steinbronn.
This prestigious award recognizes members of law enforcement who have been killed in the line of duty or have distinguished themselves by exceptional meritorious conduct. Candidates are nominated by supervisors or peers. Officer Reagan received the award at a ceremony in Olympia in October.
Heroic Water Rescue
On May 4, 2019, Officer Francis Reagan was one of the first to respond to a 911 call that a woman was screaming for help in the Washougal River. The woman had fallen from her inner tube while floating the river with a friend and became trapped by a rock in the rushing water. She quickly developed hypothermia and Officer Reagan directed his cover officers to tie two rescue lines together, then he put on his lifejacket and swam out to the woman. He held her head above water for twenty minutes before fire/rescue arrived. After a firefighter joined Officer Reagan in the water, it took another twenty minutes to free her. Her companion did not survive.
“I did not do it alone. I would like to thank Washougal Police Officers Ryan Castro and Trevor Claudson, along with Clark County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Marek and Camas/Washougal Fire Department Captain Josh Proctor,” said Officer Reagan. “Without them there would have been more casualties.”
Officer Reagan has been a member of the department since 2014 and is currently assigned to patrol. Prior to becoming a police officer, he served as a Navy SEAL and credits his training with giving him the skills to perform the rescue.
For more information on the Washougal Police Department, visit www.cityofwashougal.us/205/Police.
Press Contact:
Media Relations
(360) 835-8701
WPDPIO@cityofwashougal.us