Clallam County’s law enforcement community raised over $5,000 during this week’s annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch run, earning the top fundraising spot among all law enforcement agencies in the state of Washington. 

Celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the event, volunteers from law enforcement agencies, corrections and public safety agencies carried the Flame of Hope across a 37-mile course from Laird’s Corner west of Port Angeles to 7 Cedars Resort Wednesday. The event concluded with a celebration and Fundraising Finale at 7 Cedars where Special Olympics athletes and community members gathered to honor inclusion, unity and athletic spirit.  Clallam County Sheriff Brian King said, “We are incredibly proud of the compassion, generosity, and teamwork demonstrated by our community. Thanks to the tireless effort of so many, we were able to bring visibility and support to Special Olympics athletes while also highlighting the strength of our partnerships here in Clallam County.”

The Fundraising Finale at 7 Cedars Resort included a $1,000 donation from the resort and use of its facilities. The event included an opportunity dunk Sheriff King, Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith, Sequim  Police Chief Mike Hill and members of the Port Angeles Lefties baseball team by Clallam County Orcas Special Olympians.

The Special Olympics games are being held in Tacoma and Federal Way today through Sunday.

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PHOTO: Jesse Major photography

The teenager who fell to his death over the Sol Duc River waterfall June 8 had been traveling with a friend seeking to visit seven national parks on a post-graduation trip after graduating from high school. Eyewitnesses said 18-year-old Grant Herridge fell over the 50-foot waterfall after slipping while he was attempting to walk across rocks at the top. Olympic National Park officials say rescuers have been unable to recover his body since the accident due to unsafe conditions due to high river flows from snow melt. Recovery efforts will resume once conditions are safe. 

The teen’s father, Brad Herridge, a pastor at Ocker Brethren Church in Bell County Texas, said his son was always full of life and “loved doing exciting, fun things.”  He lived without anxiety and lived life to its fullest.”  He says Grant wore a ring for several years with an inscription inside that says, “While we wait for life, life passes.”

In a statement posted on Facebook, Grant Herridge’s former school, Vanguard College Preparatory said, “We love you, Grant.  You were a bright light and a true lighthouse in the Viking community, guiding others with kindness, joy, fun and unwavering faith and inclusivity.  Whether in the classroom, on the golf course, or in the halls, your light drew people in and made them feel seen, valued and welcome.  The students, faculty, staff and coaches are all better because of you.”

Photo: Facebook

A Sequim man who barricaded himself in a home in Carlsborg and fired numerous shots at law enforcement was arrested yesterday during an incident that forced the lock-down of Greywolf Elementary School and the evacuation of nearby neighbors for safety.

The incident began at 8:04 am Tuesday as Deputies responded to a home in the 200 block of Village Lane for a report of a man banging on windows in a residence in the area, saying he was the Messiah and had guns and ammunition, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. 

The man, identified as 37-year-old Justin Cox, was known to law enforcement from multiple prior encounters. When Deputies arrived they contacted him at the residence as he was rambling and yelling about being the “Messiah.”  He refused to come out and talk to deputies.  Another man at the house said he believed he could calm Cox down. 

However, Cox suddenly produced an AK-47 style rifle threatening to shoot law enforcement from inside the home.  A perimeter was formed around the residence and Deputies began evacuating nearby residents for safety.

The Peninsula Crisis Response Team and crisis negotiators responded to the scene with two armored vehicles and began negotiations. They told him over a loudspeaker he was under arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm was given instructions to safely surrender.

Shortly after 11 am, he began firing shots through the front door of the home, striking one of the armored vehicles and a neighboring house.  Crisis Response Team members were inside the armored vehicle when it was struck by bullets.  It’s estimated as many as 25-30 rounds were fired towards law enforcement.  Ultimately, the armored vehicle breached a window and chemical munitions were deployed and Cox fled from the back of the home. He was apprehended while running through neighboring property and booked into the Clallam County jail where he is being held on charges of first and second degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest and obstructing a law enforcement officer.