What if you were asked to run 100+ miles up a mountain for two days and through the night? Justin Hamrick, a Local 117 member and police officer at the town of Steilacoom put together a team of eight people to do just that.

There were three Teamsters on this team representing the Steilacoom Police Department. They ran alongside high school officials from Steilacoom, police officers from the City of Lakewood and a National Guard recruiter. This challenging run was a relay race organized by Ragnar.

"It’s just the kind of people I work with — we take the challenge head on."

“Almost every person I approached was eager to join even if they were not running enthusiasts,” shared Hamrick, who was the team captain. “It’s just the kind of people I work with — we take the challenge head on.”

The weather promised to be warm, but on the day of the race the highs were just grazing fifties while nighttime turned a cold shoulder to the runners bringing with it some chilling thirties. Still, the Steilacoom team took it as an opportunity to push harder and come closer together. It was a test of individual will and team spirit. Each participant ended up covering 16 miles of rugged mountainous terrain.

Teamsters supported this race by donating $500 towards the costs, part of which went to local charities including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Girls on the Run.

Hamrick is looking forward to making this a yearly race. “There was a big teambuilding aspect to it. We have a small team and don’t get to spend as much time together.”

From protecting to connecting to feeding our communities, Teamsters run our economy… and an occasional mountain.

Under the roof of Museum of Flight at the Boeing Field, police officers who work at Sea-Tac airport gathered to celebrate the Annual Awards Ceremony in recognition of outstanding service that law enforcement officers do everyday to keep our communities safe and promote nonviolence.

"It absolutely is a rewarding job."

Representatives from Seattle Children's Hospital thanked the officers for their invaluable assistance escorting young patients and their parents flying in from areas as far away as remote Alaskan villages. Officers at the airport provide security and support for families in their most stressful moments. 

The highest award of the day, Officer of the Year, was presented to officer Matt Huston. He attended the event with his wife, three-year-old daughter and a baby they had welcomed just last year.

Despite taking the time off to care for his family and the newborn, Huston had responded to the highest number of incidents on patrol in 2017. His coworkers applauded his hard work and qualities of a proactive team player, yet what set him apart was his humanity. Huston's compassion in policing was evident when he spent over two hours by the side of a disabled motorist until his family arrived and when assuring highest level of care and protection when encountering a mentally distressed driver and her daughter fleeing domestic violence. It was also evident when he handled situations involving physically large and aggressive individuals nonviolently and without incidents.

It absolutely is a rewarding job," Huston said. "You see people sometimes at their worst, but you get to help them get a little better." This Teamster also received a "Soldier of the Mission" award for embodying Port of Seattle Police Department's mission statement. Sarena Davis, Teamsters DOC Coordinator, presented Huston with a cash gift on behalf of Teamsters in recognition of his outstanding achievement.

Officers Eric Miles (l) and Larry Murray (r) together with the man they saved: Dan Walton who suffered a massive heart attack at the airport in January. 

Congratulations to our members at the Port of Seattle Police Department who were recognized for their outstanding service at the Department's awards ceremony last Thursday.

Three of our officers were honored with Life-Saving awards in two separate incidents.

Sergeant Dan Flynn, a Local 117 Shop Steward, quickly identified the symptoms of an extremely dangerous condition known as "excited delirium" in a disruptive passenger trying to board an Alaska Airlines flight in November 2014.

Flynn responded to the scene immediately, correctly diagnosed the individual, and requested medical assistance.

The medics were able to save the man's life, but only in the nick of time. The supervising medical officer said the man's temperature had skyrocketed to 104 degrees and he was moments away from death.

Sergeant Flynn's training and quick thinking led to the necessary medical intervention. As it turns out, the man was an Army veteran being treated for extreme PTSD. Flynn had saved the life of a veteran.

In a separate incident, Officers Larry Murray and Eric Miles performed life-saving CPR for several minutes on Dan Walton who had suffered a massive heart attack near the departures area in January.  

Walton spoke at the awards ceremony, expressing his gratitude for the officers' heroics. “If it wasn't for the people, the skills, the dedication, and the people in this room today, I wouldn't be here,” he said.

Sergeant Mark Tanga and Officer Cory Stairs received the Meritorious Service award at the ceremony for their many years of outstanding service. 

Congratulations to the award recipients and thank you to all of our officers at the Port of Seattle for your service to our community and for helping to keep us safe.