By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Centralia police detective Rick Hughes has been honored by the Washington State Patrol for his role in helping subdue a man who allegedly assaulted a trooper this summer along side on Interstate 5 in Chehalis.
[1]Detective Rick Hughes
It was July 3 when Trooper Rob Moore contacted the 23-year-old Centralia man near the Main Street off ramp and ended up tackling the man after a lug nut was thrown in his face, breaking his nose and glasses.
Two passing motorists stopped to help, and then detective Hughes and another passerby, Robert Gordon from Washington County in Oregon, stopped to assist.
Don K. Gonzales, 23, was subsequently charged with second-degree assault, plus three counts of third-degree assault related to the brawl as well as attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer. His attorney said he was suffering from some type of mental issue when the events occurred.
Hughes and Gordon were honored the week before last in Vancouver with awards of merit.
A citation of the events read during the ceremony thanked the men for their life-saving efforts.
“The actions of Detective Rick Hughes and Robert Gordon not only helped, but also may have prevented further significant injury to Trooper Moore,” Trooper Will Finn wrote in a news release.
The two men sprung into action and assisted Moore in getting the subject under control and into custody, Finn wrote. Hughes was reportedly kicked in the chest before it was over.
State Patrol Capt. Ron Rupke commended the two for their courage.
The state patrol’s award of merit is presented to law enforcement officers or citizens who risk their own safety to assist a state patrol employee in the performance of a hazardous act, according to Finn.
Finn said he wasn’t sure of Gordon’s background, if he is a civilian or possibly a retied police officer.
The pair of local civilians who jumped in Timothy Tyrell Daily, 25, of Napavine, and his brother-in-law Jared Kasinger, 24, of Chehalis, are expected to recognized this coming spring for their actions, according to Finn.
“They’re being honored with a higher award in May,” Finn said. “They haven’t been forgotten.”
Gonzales has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
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For background, read “View from the ground: Helping trooper take down fighting suspect” from Sunday July 15, 2012, here [2]