Two members of the Battle Ground Police Department were recognized Monday night for exemplary service and saving lives off-duty.
During the June 2 city council meeting, Police Chief Dennis Flynn presented awards to Lieutenant Jason Perdue and Officer Chris Pagaduan.
Lieutenant Perdue was recognized for his swift action in August last year while dining with his family in Blaine near the U.S.-Canada border. Perdue was enjoying his meal when he noticed an elderly woman suddenly fall into visible medical distress. Perdue immediately recognized the woman was choking.
“Jason calmly and confidently approached the woman, assessed the situation and initiated life-saving measures, including performing the Heimlich maneuver,” Flynn said.
Lieutenant Perdue’s quick actions successfully cleared the woman’s airway. Once paramedics arrived and took over, the off-duty officer discreetly returned to his meal.
“Jason’s actions embody the highest ideals of public service. His courageous and selfless conduct serves as an inspiration to his fellow officers,” Flynn said, praising Perdue’s humility.
Pagaduan was recognized for his heroic actions on Nov. 2, 2024, when he responded to a call involving a 70-year-old woman in cardiac arrest. He arrived at the scene one minute and 48 seconds after dispatch, before fire or medical personnel, and found the woman unconscious and slumped in the driver’s seat of her vehicle.
With her husband struggling to perform CPR, Pagaduan swiftly moved her to the garage floor and began chest compressions. He performed multiple rounds of CPR until paramedics arrived, then assisted them in regaining a pulse. Medical personnel later credited his quick actions and proper CPR technique with saving the woman’s life. Fellow officers also praised his calm and decisive response.
Pagaduan was unable to attend the meeting due to a family matter.
Officer of the Year recognized
Detective Ethan Poki was also recognized as the department’s 2024 Officer of the Year on Monday, an honor voted on by members of the police guild.
Flynn detailed Poki’s work over the past year, including his supporting fellow officers and mentoring new detectives.
“He’s a humble, dependable and deeply committed leader,” Flynn said. “Detective Poki voluntarily returned to graveyard patrol to assist a struggling officer in the field training program … That says everything about his character.”
Flynn detailed Poki’s work over the past year, including a complex human trafficking and prostitution investigation tied to a local massage parlor. The operation culminated in a search warrant executed on Sept. 4, 2024, and led to the business’s closure within 24 hours.
In another major case, Poki led a commercial burglary investigation in May that extended into Lakewood. His work resulted in the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of more than $100,000 in stolen property.
Mayor Troy McCoy took a moment to thank Detective Poki and Lieutenant Perdue.
“I know you two gentlemen didn’t want to come and be recognized, but it’s really important for this community to know what you do,” McCoy said. “We appreciate all you do.”
‘Manny 2.0’ ghost car receives upgrades, reminds drivers to slow down
The council also heard an update on “Manny 2.0,” a high-tech upgrade to the department’s mannequin-patrolled ghost car, designed to deter speeding in local neighborhoods.
Chief Flynn described how the original “Officer Manny,” a mannequin seated in a decommissioned police car, made a splash but had limitations.
Enter Mike Wilcock, the city’s fleet supervisor. Using parts from a damaged speed trailer, Wilcock rigged up a new system allowing the ghost car to flash its emergency lights when drivers exceed a programmed speed.
“Mike took it and cannibalized it… and came up with an idea to bring our project Manny to life,” Flynn said.
Manny 2.0 includes an articulating radar mount, a working counter to track activations and red-and-blue lights that trigger for two seconds when drivers speed past.
Since its April debut, Manny 2.0 has recorded hundreds of activations and earned widespread community praise on Facebook.
“One guy said he got so mad he yelled, ‘Damn it Manny go home!’” Flynn told the council.
Wilcock was honored with a special commendation for his work.
“Thanks to Mike’s remarkable creativity and technical skill, Manny 2.0 not only draws attention and praise but also plays a meaningful role in slowing traffic and potentially preventing accidents,” Flynn said.
