Two officers honored for outstanding service

RITZVILLE – At the city council’s June 18 meeting, Police Chief Dave McCormick presented plaques recognizing two law enforcement officers.

McCormick presented “The Lifesaving Award” to officer Jeff Lane for actions he took while responding to a call for assistance with a mental subject during the late evening hours of Saturday, April 11, 2020.

Lane, who was covering a shift for the Police Department, faced a life-threatening situation, the chief said. He was on the scene with Washington State Trooper Nathaniel Romaneschi and seconds after their arrival, they encountered a man — later identified as Shawn Lee, 48, of Susanville, Calif. — who exited a parked car and charged both officers with a machete.

Lane zapped Lee with his Taser without effect, the chief said. As Lee continued swinging the machete and closing the distance on the officers, Lane fired from his department-issue firearm at a range of approximately 10 feet, records show.

The bullets struck Lee and caused him to drop the machete, the chief said.

After an ambulance was called, both officers attempted life-saving first aid on Lee, who was transported to East Adams Rural Healthcare and later pronounced dead.

“The actions officer Lane took that night saved the life of trooper Romaneschi,” McCormick said.

About a week later, the Columbia Basin Investigative Team released dash cam video of the April 11 incident. The investigative team ruled Lane’s use of lethal force justified.

McCormick gave a second award to Sgt. Mark Cameron, who served as a local police officer for more than 16 years before taking a job with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

The award honored his dedicated service for the community.