We're honoring Washington state trooper Bree Barton this month for her bravery and tenacity during a traffic stop that turned into a vicious fight and high speed chase.
She's been with state patrol for just less than three years but her actions show she's one tough trooper.
"I just knew I had to get back to my feet and I had to keep defending myself," Barton says.
She's still on light duty -- recovering from a serious injury to her right shoulder -- after brawling with a DUI suspect she pulled over on northbound I-5 in Federal Way.
"I turned him around to place him into custody and he decided that he didn't want to be arrested and attacked me.
She says she put her hands up to defend herself and radioed for backup. Then the situation got more dire.
"He ended up throwing me onto the ground. We wrestled around. I was able to get away from him. I reached for my taser and realized that was no longer on my duty belt. Then I reached for my asp and that was gone."
Trooper barton says the suspect didn't stop there and came at her again.
"He threw me down the ditch. I injured my shoulder. It was kind of weird, I didn't feel the pain but I knew something was wrong. I knew I had to get back up again.
She says he paused, then ran back to his vehicle and took off.
Despite her injury she pursued him, reaching speeds of 110 miles per hour as he headed north on I-5 from Federal Way, into Kent, then back south into Federal Way again. The chase continued into Auburn, down into the valley on Highway 167 and into downtown Puyallup. That's where the suspect pulled into an apartment complex and got blocked by a gate.
"He took off on foot and myself and one other trooper from my crew chased him down and we found him in some sticker bushes hiding. He still didn't comply and ended up being tased and we took him into custody."
Among her injuries, a torn rotator cuff and a separated shoulder joint that may may require surgery..
So why didn't she just call and radio, "I'm injured." Why did she jump back into her patrol car and take off after the guy?
"Well, nobody else was there and I was physically and mentally able to continue. We train that we will not quit and I was nowhere near quitting."
State patrol captain Steve Burns who was on hand for the award presentation says they are all very proud of trooper Barton who's also been selected for their honor guard.
"That's a unit that nationally recognized as a top law enforcement honor guards and she got selected for that, Captain Burns said. "So, she's very professional. She carries herself well and if you do your job, your going to earn respect from the troops."
For her actions, she received our Washington's Most Wanted Officer of the Month trophy donated by Monty Holmes from Athletic Awards.
"A lot of people just think that WSP is out there writing that ticket for 72 in a 60," Holmes says, "and I think it's great that they're out there and they can see that these troopers are working hard and putting their lives on the line."
Trooper Barton hopes to be back out on patrol the first of next year, keeping drunk drivers off our roads and you safe.
"It's great that you got him, that you chased this guy down," said Washington's Most Wanted host David Rose, "and I know it's got to feel good that you brought him into custody,"
"It does, thank you." Barton said.
"Congratulations, it's really wonderful," Rose said.
She's been with state patrol for just less than three years but her actions show she's one tough trooper.
"I just knew I had to get back to my feet and I had to keep defending myself," Barton says.
She's still on light duty -- recovering from a serious injury to her right shoulder -- after brawling with a DUI suspect she pulled over on northbound I-5 in Federal Way.
"I turned him around to place him into custody and he decided that he didn't want to be arrested and attacked me.
She says she put her hands up to defend herself and radioed for backup. Then the situation got more dire.
"He ended up throwing me onto the ground. We wrestled around. I was able to get away from him. I reached for my taser and realized that was no longer on my duty belt. Then I reached for my asp and that was gone."
Trooper barton says the suspect didn't stop there and came at her again.
"He threw me down the ditch. I injured my shoulder. It was kind of weird, I didn't feel the pain but I knew something was wrong. I knew I had to get back up again.
She says he paused, then ran back to his vehicle and took off.
Despite her injury she pursued him, reaching speeds of 110 miles per hour as he headed north on I-5 from Federal Way, into Kent, then back south into Federal Way again. The chase continued into Auburn, down into the valley on Highway 167 and into downtown Puyallup. That's where the suspect pulled into an apartment complex and got blocked by a gate.
"He took off on foot and myself and one other trooper from my crew chased him down and we found him in some sticker bushes hiding. He still didn't comply and ended up being tased and we took him into custody."
Among her injuries, a torn rotator cuff and a separated shoulder joint that may may require surgery..
So why didn't she just call and radio, "I'm injured." Why did she jump back into her patrol car and take off after the guy?
"Well, nobody else was there and I was physically and mentally able to continue. We train that we will not quit and I was nowhere near quitting."
State patrol captain Steve Burns who was on hand for the award presentation says they are all very proud of trooper Barton who's also been selected for their honor guard.
"That's a unit that nationally recognized as a top law enforcement honor guards and she got selected for that, Captain Burns said. "So, she's very professional. She carries herself well and if you do your job, your going to earn respect from the troops."
For her actions, she received our Washington's Most Wanted Officer of the Month trophy donated by Monty Holmes from Athletic Awards.
"A lot of people just think that WSP is out there writing that ticket for 72 in a 60," Holmes says, "and I think it's great that they're out there and they can see that these troopers are working hard and putting their lives on the line."
Trooper Barton hopes to be back out on patrol the first of next year, keeping drunk drivers off our roads and you safe.
"It's great that you got him, that you chased this guy down," said Washington's Most Wanted host David Rose, "and I know it's got to feel good that you brought him into custody,"
"It does, thank you." Barton said.
"Congratulations, it's really wonderful," Rose said.
