Police Officers Honored For Valor Trio Cited For Bravery, Coolness In Midst Of Deadly Encounters

Three Spokane police officers received the Medal of Valor Wednesday, one of the highest honors given to an officer for courage in the line of duty.

Officer Tracie Meidl and Sgt. Mark Wheelwright were recognized for their roles in an August 1994 shootout between police and Sidney McDermott.

It began when Meidl attempted to pull McDermott over for a traffic stop in north Spokane. He ignored Meidl and drove home, where he got a .45 caliber handgun and started shooting.

Meidl took cover and called for backup.

“A less disciplined officer would have panicked,” Police Chief Terry Mangan said Wednesday during the award ceremony in the council chambers at City Hall.

Wheelwright soon arrived and positioned himself behind a tree, returning fire and killing McDermott.

Mangan said Wheelwright’s actions displayed selfless courage.

Detective Jeff Harvey was recognized for ending an August 1993 standoff at a surplus store on North Division.

Harvey responded to a disturbance call and found Larry Park behind the store counter, armed with a sword and hatchet. Park demanded customers lock the back door and move to the front of the store.

He came out of the store armed with a loaded assault rifle and aimed it at Harvey and several citizens.

Harvey stepped from around the side of the building and fired his shotgun, killing Park.

Mangan cited Harvey’s training and personal courage for the action.

Seven other police department employees and officers were honored at the awards ceremony, which drew about 100 people.

Officers Ernie Wuthrich and Kevin Penden received Lifesaving awards.

Brian Smead, Officer Bob Grandinetti, Patti Flynn and Officer Jeff Barrington received Employee of the Quarter awards.

Grandinetti was named Employee of the Year.

Cpl. Jim Muzatko received the Medal of Merit for outstanding service to the department.

Mangan said the department will issue these awards every year.

, DataTimes