Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Alexander McCartney, who was shot and killed after responding to an armed burglary call Sunday night, is being remembered as a loving father and decorated Navy veteran.
McCartney, 34, responded to an armed robbery in Frederickson and was shot during a foot chase. Frederickson is about 45 miles south of Seattle.
McCartney lived in Yelm and was the father of three boys, age 4, 6 and 9. He also had years of service in the Navy, earning the Afghanistan Campaign Medal among other honors.
McCartney graduated from Loyalton High School in Loyalton, Calif. before joining the Navy. He enlisted on Sept. 10, 2002, and was Electronics Technician 2nd class (E-5).
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He reported to a Navy recruit training center that month and stayed at a Great Lakes, Illinois, training center until October 2003. McCartney moved to the Center for Surface Combat Systems in San Diego later that month and was there until Feb. 20, 2004.
McCartney served on the USS Abraham Lincoln from Feb. 25, 2004 through Oct. 6, 2008. He was honorably discharged that year.
In the Navy McCartney, who was an enlisted surface warfare specialist, received several awards. He was given the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal and twice was given the Good Conduct Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Recruited as a police officer
McCartney spent six years with the Hoquiam Police Department, where he was recruited in 2008. Hoquiam is about 115 miles southwest of Seattle near the Washington coast.
He started on April 1, 2009, and previously worked as a detention officer at the Grays Harbor County Juvenile Facility and was a personal trainer at the Grays Harbor YMCA.
During his time in Hoquiam, McCartney also worked as a field training officer, bike patrol officer, member of the regional Crisis Response Team and was a computer network administrator.
“Daniel had a drive on the street as well in the department to bring 110 percent to work every single day,” friend and Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers said in a statement. “He had a great sense of humor and was always out on the street looking and digging. Daniel received several commendations for his work as well as being selected as Officer of the Quarter by his peers.”
McCartney transferred to Pierce County in August 2014.
“As a small department, every one of our members is part of a close family; Daniel started his career here and he will always be one of our family,” Myers said. “My wife and I are friends of Daniel’s sister-in-law and we know even more deeply of their pain. We sincerely mourn his loss and wish there was more we could do for his family and his fellow deputies who were out at the scene last night.”
McCartney was shot shortly after 11:30 p.m. Sunday as he was responding to a 911 call reporting an intruder at a residence on 200th St. E. During the 911 call, dispatchers could hear screaming and a scuffle taking place, deputies said.
One suspect was found dead at the scene but the other escaped, prompting a manhunt that lasted into Monday morning.
McCartney was rushed to Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma where he died.
Early Monday morning officers and medical staff took part in a procession for McCartney when his body was taken from St. Joseph to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
CrossFit Yelm, where McCartney worked out, organized a fundraiser for his family, aiming to raise $10,000.
"Today we lost a Hero, Son, Father, Husband, Veteran and Police Officer," friend Annie Malone wrote on the fundraising page. "Daniel McCartney was an amazing human! At CrossFit Yelm you couldn't ask for a better athlete or coach. Our hearts are breaking with all of you during this time."
Related coverage of Pierce County shooting
- Pierce County deputy shot, killed during burglary call; suspect at large
- Daniel McCartney: Details about the Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy fatally shot
- Suspect description in Pierce County deputy shooting
- Law enforcement across state post condolences for fallen Pierce Deputy
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