MLPD officers awarded state Medal of Honor

Moses Lake Police Department/courtesy photo Officers Kevin Hake, Nick Stewart, Justin Materne and Jack Dodson were awarded Washington State’s Medal of Freedom during a ceremony last week.

by Richard Byrd
| May 11, 2017 4:00 AM

MOSES LAKE — Four Moses Lake Police Department officers have been awarded Washington state’s Medal of Honor for their lifesaving efforts during a call last summer in Moses Lake.

Officers Kevin Hake, Nick Stewart, Justin Materne and Jack Dodson received the Medal of Honor from Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson during a ceremony on May 5. The awards stem from the actions the officers took during a call in the early morning hours of Aug. 21.

The four officers responded to a canal near the intersection of Road 5 Northeast and Road L Northeast, outside of Moses Lake, after receiving a report of a vehicle in the canal. Eighteen-year-old Clayton Clark and 19-year-old Jesus Cornejo were trapped inside the vehicle, which was upside down and submerged in the canal when police arrived. The water was flowing fast because it was the peak of irrigation season.

The officers entered the canal to rescue Clark and Cornejo. Stewart and Hake forced one of the doors on the vehicle open and dove into the water several times, but were initially unsuccessful in rescuing Clark and Cornejo. Hake was eventually able to dive under and break out the back window of the vehicle, which caused Cornejo to emerge and he started floating downstream before being rescued by Stewart.

After Cornejo was rescued and handed off to firefighters at the scene, Stewart returned to the vehicle and repeatedly swam inside until he found Clark. Stewart was able to remove Clark and pass him off to the firefighters. Cornejo survived the accident. Clark died a few days after the accident.

Stewart and Hake were awarded the MLPD’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor, for their actions. Dodson was awarded the MLPD’s Meritorious Conduct Award. Stewart and Hake were also honored with the Hometown Hero Award by the American Red Cross. The award recognizes first responders and community members who go above and beyond the call of duty in a lifesaving situation.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.