Moses Lake detective Salazar honored as DOJ's 2026 Hometown Hero

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake police detective who helped stop a gunman during a deadly shooting at the Gorge Amphitheatre, near Quincy, three years ago has been recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Justice as the Eastern District of Washington's 2026 Hometown Hero. 

Detective Edgar Salazar, an 11-year veteran of the Moses Lake Police Dept., received the award Thursday during a ceremony attended by fellow officers, federal prosecutors, city leaders and family members. 

The award recognizes Salazar's actions during the June 17, 2023, shooting at the Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre, where authorities say a gunman killed two women, wounded several others and continued assaulting his girlfriend after fleeing into a field. 

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington, Salazar was among five undercover officers working at the festival when the violence erupted. Without ballistic vests, radios or standard duty weapons, the officers moved across approximately 150 yards of open terrain toward the suspect, who was actively firing. 

Authorities said Salazar fired a shot from about 65 yards away, incapacitating the gunman and ending the immediate threat. 

"There is no question that without Detective Salazar's heroic actions, more lives would have been lost," the Justice Dept. said in a statement announcing the award.  

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano said the honor was intended to recognize extraordinary service and sacrifice by local law enforcement officers. 

"Our office is honored to recognize Detective Salazar as the 2026 Hometown Hero for his bravery, sacrifice and exemplary service to our community on behalf of the Department of Justice," Serrano said. 

During the ceremony, Serrano described Salazar's response as a rare combination of training, composure and courage amid chaotic circumstances. 

"This was one of those almost once-in-a-lifetime perfect moments — the right person in the right spot lined up with the right shot," Serrano said. "God willing, he was able to hit and not have any other casualties or any other harm to anyone." 

But Salazar used most of his remarks to redirect attention toward fellow officers and others who supported him before, during and after the shooting. 

"I want you guys to, when you guys clap, think of them as well," Salazar said after recognizing Detective Sergeant Curt Ledaboer, Sergeant Kyle McCain, Corporal Omar Ramirez and Detective Kory Judkins, who responded alongside him. "This award is just as much theirs as it is mine." 

Ledaboer, McCain and Ramirez work for MLPD and Judkins works for Grant County Sheriff’s Office.  

Salazar also thanked supervisors, colleagues and regional law enforcement partners who helped officers in the aftermath of the shooting. 

"We work for a phenomenal area. We have a phenomenal relationship with one another, and I wouldn't trade it for the world," he said. 

The detective became emotional while speaking about his family, particularly his wife. 

"My wife is the most selfless person I know, who for five years let the community borrow me, have me first, who never complains, who remains supportive," Salazar said. "My abilities are there because I have the backing and the support of people who make it possible." 

Before accepting the award, Salazar also asked attendees to observe a moment of silence for Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz, the two women killed while trying to intervene during the attack. 

Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Sands said the department remains proud of Salazar and the officers who responded to the incident. 

"The Moses Lake Police Department prides itself on core values of professionalism, integrity, compassion and service," Sands said. "I can't say enough how proud we are of Edgar and the officers that responded that day." 

Sands noted that the event left lasting effects not only on first responders but also on the victims' families. 

"There are victims and their families that surely will grieve this for the rest of their lives, and I'd like to tell them now that our prayers still are with them," he said. 

In an interview with the Columbia Basin Herald after the ceremony, Sands described Salazar as "probably the most giving, friendly person you will ever meet" and praised his commitment to the community, including his work as a firearms instructor, detective and peer support counselor for fellow officers. 

Asked whether Salazar deserved the recognition, Sands was unequivocal. 

"Very much so," he said. "The actions he took that day – without any protective equipment, without any radio to communicate, without anything to identify that a threat needed to be taken care of – to move to it and eliminate that threat. There's no words." 

Federal prosecutors also praised Salazar's day-to-day work beyond the Gorge shooting. Caitlin Baunsgard, deputy criminal chief for the U.S. Attorney's Office and head of its organized crime section, said Salazar and the Moses Lake Street Crimes Unit have earned a reputation for professionalism and thoroughness among federal judges and prosecutors. 

"I think Moses Lake is very lucky to have this group of dedicated professionals assisting them," Baunsgard said. 

While Salazar was the only recipient of this year's award, both federal and local officials stressed that the recognition also reflected the efforts of the entire team that confronted the gunman and cared for victims that day. 

For his part, Salazar said he was honored but uncomfortable being singled out. 

"Anytime law enforcement can receive some sort of recognition, I think it's a good day," he said. "At the same time, I feel a little guilty. There's only space for one, and I just want it to be known that my partners, they were all equally heroic." 

    Around 100 people gathered in the Moses Lake Council Chambers to watch Moses Lake Detective Edgar Salazar receive the Eastern District of Washington’s 2026 Hometown Hero award. From left to right is First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano, Salazar, Chief Dave Sands and Caitlin Baunsgard, deputy criminal chief for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
  

    Moses Lake Police Dept. Edgar Salazar’s award sits on the table before the ceremony Thursday.
  

    Moses Lake Police Dept. Detective Edgar Salazar (left) shakes the hand of Moses Lake City Administrator Rob Karlinsey (right).
  

    Moses Lake Detective Edgar Salazar (middle) stands with his parents for a photo after the ceremony Thursday.
  

    Detective Edgar Salazar was recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Justice as the Eastern District of Washington’s Hometown Hero for 2026.