Executive Summary
- Walla Walla City Council honored six law enforcement officers for heroism in two separate 2025 incidents.
- Four officers received the Life Saving Award for rescuing an unconscious woman from a burning vehicle on New Year’s Eve.
- Detective Kevin Toon and Sgt. Salvador Diaz received the Award of Valor for securing a family during an active shooter standoff.
- The awards highlighted effective mutual aid between Washington and Oregon agencies.
WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Six members of local law enforcement were formally recognized by the Walla Walla City Council on Wednesday for their decisive actions during two separate life-threatening emergencies in 2025, including a rescue from a burning vehicle and a tactical response to an active shooter.
During the February 11 meeting, Mayor Gustavo Reyna presented the Life Saving Award and the Award of Valor to personnel from the Walla Walla Police Department (WWPD), the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office (WWCSO), and the College Place Police Department (CPPD). The commendations highlighted instances where officers placed themselves at significant personal risk to preserve civilian lives.
The Life Saving Awards were granted in connection with a December 31, 2025, single-vehicle collision at Highway 12 and Rees Road. According to department reports, the incident began when off-duty WWPD Detective Kristen Daschofsky and his wife, WWCSO Deputy Ashley Daschofsky, discovered a burning vehicle with an unconscious woman trapped inside.
The off-duty pair initiated rescue efforts as the fire intensified and were soon joined by on-duty WWPD Officers Sierra Roberts and Eric Eastman. Officials stated that while Roberts and Deputy Daschofsky utilized a fire extinguisher to suppress flames encroaching on the passenger cabin, Officer Eastman shattered the driver’s side window and cut the seatbelt. Eastman successfully extracted the victim moments before the fire consumed the vehicle. All four officers received the Life Saving Award for their actions.
The council subsequently presented the Award of Valor to WWPD Detective Kevin Toon and CPPD Sergeant Salvador Diaz for their role in an August 31, 2025, incident in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Responding to a mutual aid request regarding an active shooter in the 5000 block of Lawson Street, the officers bypassed staging areas to address an immediate threat to a family trapped inside the residence.
According to the citation, the suspect fired multiple rounds while the officers breached a locked gate to enter the property and secure the family, which included an infant. The standoff continued until approximately 4:30 a.m., when the suspect surrendered. Authorities credited the tactical composure of Toon and Diaz with ensuring the safety of the residents.
It is important to note that all individuals charged in connection with criminal investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Operational Readiness and Inter-Agency Cooperation
The recognition of these officers underscores the critical importance of situational readiness and cross-jurisdictional collaboration in public safety operations. The successful resolution of the Milton-Freewater incident highlights the necessity of robust mutual aid agreements between Washington and Oregon agencies, allowing for rapid deployment of tactical resources during high-stress active shooter scenarios. Furthermore, the intervention by off-duty personnel in the vehicle fire incident demonstrates the unpredictable nature of emergency response and the continuous duty of care expected of law enforcement professionals.
