Sept 20 - Officers Assist at Veteran's Administration

Press Release from WWPD: The Walla Walla Police Dept, alongside other area Law Enforcement Officers, assisted the United States Vetereran's Admistration Police with an incident on Federal Property this morning. The scene is secure and there is no threat to the public. All Media inquiries for additional information should be directed to the USVA. No further information will be provided from the Walla Walla Police at this time.

Sept 8 - Officers Respond to Juvenile Injured

Press Release from WWPD: Officers responded to 248 Tausick Way yesterday at 4:50 pm. It was discovered in the investigation that two juveniles age, 8 and 10 were playing with gasoline and a lighter. One boy was injured by the fire and was transported to ST Mary Medical Center for treatment of injuries. The 8 year old told Police that the other boy threw gas on him and then threw the lighter at him. The other boy denies this and stated that the younger boy was just standing too close to the fire.

Officers also located an active fire in the area and assisted Firefighters in putting out the blaze. This incident has been referred to Detectives and CPS investigators.

Aug 30 - Officers Continue Shooting Investigation

Press Release from WWPD: Walla Walla Police Detectives continue the investigation into the shooting that occurred yesterday afternoon. Officers found Daniel Earl Cason, Age 30, deceased at his residence in the 500 blk of E Cherry in Walla Walla.

We are continuing to look into all aspects of the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this is encouraged to contact the Police Detectives at 527-4434 during business hours or through Dispatch at 527-1960 after hours

Aug 9 - WW Special Teams Arrest 2 of 3 Suspects

Press Release from WWPD: Walla Walla Police Special Teams Detectives have arrested Dearcie L Abraham, age 31, and Robert P Burgess, Age 27 for their involvement in yesterday’s incident in the 400 block of Chase Street. Both were lodged at the Walla Walla County Jail on charges of Assault 4th Degree and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Detectives continue their investigation for the 3rd suspect that was armed with a knife and threatened the victim in the incident.

If anyone has any additional information please contact-
Detective J. Maiuri at 509-524-4408

Aug 8 - Recovered Stolen Vehicle Leads Police to Activate SWAT Team

Police responded to 410 Chase at 11:52 this morning. A victim/property owner reported that he observed a suspicious vehicle on his property which led to a confrontation where he was assaulted by several occupants of the vehicle. One occupant was armed with a knife and threatened to harm the victim. This suspect had reportedly entered a home in the 300 block of Myrtle Street. Officers arrived on scene and set up a perimeter. It was also determined that the victim had been assaulted and the car was in fact stolen. Another occupant of the home, Devon R.P. Millar, 25, was arrested for an outstanding WA State Department of Corrections Warrant. Please see Press Release for additional information.

Jul 2 - Retired FDNY Firefigher Tim Duffy Visit

Later this month retired FDNY Firefighter Tim Duffy will be making a return visit to Walla Walla. We will post additional information about his visit as it becomes available. Please view the flyer about his trip and background information about the charitable organization he has formed "saving soldiers and shelter dogs, one team at a time." You can help him on this journey on his GoFundMe page.

 

May 30 - Veteran Officer Retiring After 31 Year Career

Officer Tim Bennett will be retiring from the Walla Walla Police Department on May 31st. He began his law enforcement career with the Richland (WA) Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer in 1985. He was still attending the Reserve Police Academy when he was hired full-time with WWPD on April 7, 1986.

Bennett has held numerous positions while serving the community. Shortly after finishing the Basic Law Enforcement Academy in November of 1987, Bennett accepted an offer to work undercover in the Walla Walla City/County Drug Unit. He returned to Patrol in 1989. In 1991, he taught the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program to area youth, instructing both the 5th and 8th grade programs for five years, and spending the summer months working night shift on Patrol. Please see Press Release for additional information.

 

May 19 - Officer Nicholas "Nick" Henzel

With great sadness and an extremely heavy heart, the Walla Walla Police Department announces the passing of Officer Nicholas “Nick” Henzel. Officers were informed this morning that Officer Henzel died following medical complications.

The Walla Walla Police Department appreciates the condolences shared from the community as we work through the grief of Officer Henzel’s unexpected death.

Officer Nick Henzel has been serving both his country and community since 2000, when he enlisted in the US Air Force. In 2006, Nick was hired by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and served as a patrol deputy until 2012 when he was hired by the City of Walla Walla Police Department.

Along with his military and law enforcement service, Nick was also active in the community. He volunteered as a wrestling coach and was active in the Fraternal Order of Police “Cops and Kids” program.

Officer Henzel is survived by his wife, Cristal, and two children.

Details regarding services for Officer Henzel are pending at this time as are details on how the community can make donations in support of Nick’s family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Nick’s wife and two children.

May 19 - Donation to Walla Walla Area Crime Watch Graffiti Abatement Program

Thank you Tyler Sheldon from College Place High School who donated $106.00 to Walla Walla Area Crime Watch's graffiti Abatement project. This was a class project that Tyler came up with. He held a yard sale to raise the money to donate. On hand to receive the donation on behalf of Walla Walla Area Crime Watch were: Captain Chris Buttice, Officer Brent Barberich, and Officer Kevin Huxoll.

 

May 5 - Regional Drug Take-Back Largest to Date

The Walla Walla Police Department, College Place Police Department, and the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office held two very successful Take Back Drug Days / Shred Truck Fundraiser at the WW Police Department, Waitsburg Fire Station, and at the Wal Mart Parking lot this past weekend April 29th and 30th. Please see Press Release for additional information.

 

Apr 27 - Temporary Sleeping Site

Last night, the Walla Walla City Council voted 6-0 to allow the relocation of the temporary sleeping site at Par 72 Drive to an area within the Service Center lot at 55 E. Moore St. The location of the Service Center can be seen on this map: http://bit.ly/wwservicecenter

Mar 3 - Dog Walker Watch

Dog Walker Watch is an awareness program coordinated by the Walla Walla Police Department and Blue Mountain Humane Society that encourages neighbors to assist local law enforcement agencies in the ongoing community-policing efforts. Please see Press Release for additional information.

Feb 22 - Walla Walla Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison

Spokane–Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Kevin Michael Dettmer, age 34, of Walla Walla, Washington, was sentenced today for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza Jr. sentenced Dettmer to a five-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a ten-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Dettmer will also be required to register as a sex offender. Please see Press Release for additional information.

Feb 16 - Masons Honor Local Law Enforcement Officers

Four local law enforcement officers were honored last night during a ceremony at the Masonic Temple. Walla Walla Police K-9 Officer Travis Goodwin received his award, in part, due to his involvement in a couple of high-profile cases. He works with his K-9 partner Farel, who is trained in tracking and as an apprehension dog. In addition to his daily patrol duties, Travis and Farel are part of the Regional SWAT team.

Officer Goodwin and Farel were responsible for tracking and locating a firearm that was thrown in Pioneer Park by a suspect. Using his partner, they were able to locate the firearm and keep it from getting back into the hands of the suspect, or from being potentially found by a child playing in the park. Please see Press Release for additional information..

Feb 10 - Rental Property Management Training Seminar

The Crime Free Rental Housing program will once again be offering free training to all interested landlords and tenants. The 12 hours of training will be spread over four evenings on March 1, 2, 8, and 9. The training will be held in the Fulton Community Room from 6:30-9:30 each evening.
During the presentations, numerous topics will be covered to include: Washington Landlord/Tenant Law, Gang & Drug Activity, Registered Sex Offenders, and Tenant Screening.

For further information or to register, contact Officer Tim Bennett at The Crime Free Rental Housing program will once again be offering free training to all interested landlords and tenants. The 12 hours of training will be spread over four evenings on March 1, 2, 8, and 9. The training will be held in the Fulton Community Room from 6:30-9:30 each evening.
During the presentations, numerous topics will be covered to include: Washington Landlord/Tenant Law, Gang & Drug Activity, Registered Sex Offenders, and Tenant Screening. Agenda

For further information or to register, contact Officer Tim Bennett at tbennett@wallawallawa.gov ..

Jan 26 - WWPD Promotes New Patrol Sergeant

Detective Eric Kundson was promoted to the rank of Sergeant to fill an opening in the Patrol Division following the retirement of Sgt. Mike Ralston at the end of last year.

Kundson started his law enforcement career as a Reserve Police Officer for WWPD in 2001. He was hired the following year as a full-time officer from the Civil Service list. As a Patrol Officer, he was one of the leaders in DUI enforcement and spent time in the Traffic Unit as a Motorcycle Officer where he was certified as a Drug Recognition Expert and Collision Investigator. He was also selected as one of the Department’s Field Training Officers, tasked with training new recruits. Please see Press Release for addtional information.

Jan 25 - Pursuit Leads to Seizure of Meth, Cash and Handgun

Police arrested Seth C. Cunha, 31, on numerous felony charges following a rush-hour pursuit Tuesday afternoon at around 4:45 p.m. He had been stopped for a routine traffic violation on Rose Street, near Touchet Street, when he suddenly fled in his beige Ford F-150 after he had given his driver’s license to the officer and a K-9 officer was preparing to conduct an exterior sniff of his vehicle. Please see Press Release for additional information

 

Jan 11 - Search Warrant Leads to Arrest of Heroin Distributor

Drug Detectives from the Special Teams Unit made a substantial seizure and arrest following the discovery of Heroin being mailed through a local shipping business. Officer Fulmer and his K-9 “Pick” were conducting a “sniff” of packages at the Postal Annex Tuesday morning when the dog alerted on a package. The item was seized and turned over to narcotics detectives to apply for a search. The warrant was granted and subsequent search revealed a stuffed animal containing approximately 4 ounces of suspected “China White” Heroin. Please see Press Release for additional information.

Jan 9 - Officer Not Injured After Being Rammed by Stolen Vehicle

A patrol officer investigating a suspicious vehicle was intentionally struck head-on by the vehicle. The vehicle was pursued into Oregon before it crashed and the suspects were taken into custody.

The incident began at 9:30 Sunday evening on West Sumach, between 4th and 5Th. Officer Paul Green had observed the Chevrolet pickup pulling a utility trailer with no lights. As Green drove east on Sumach from 5th Avenue, he observed the vehicle driving towards him from the intersection of 4th Avenue. When the vehicle got closer, the suspect accelerated and rammed into the front of the patrol vehicle, forcing the patrol vehicle back and off to the side of the roadway. Officer Green drew his service weapon and fired at the suspect vehicle as he was being rammed. Please see Press Release for additional information.

Jan 5 - Two New Officers Start their Careers

Captain Chris Buttice graduated from the FBI National Academy’s 266th session today during a ceremony at Quantico, Virginia. Buttice attended the 11 week academy with law enforcement professionals from across the U.S. and officials from 20 other countries.

Please see Press Release for additional information.