Fife Police Officer Randy Fleming was recognized last Friday night at the annual Tacoma/Pierce County DUI Victim's Information Panel awards ceremony. The panel was established in 1991 and holds an annual Candle Light Vigil to honor victims killed by impaired drivers and to recognize first responders for their efforts to stop impaired driving. Officer Fleming was one of 27 officers from Pierce County that was recognized and is a multiyear recipient. One officer from each police department in the county is recognized along with county deputy's, state troopers and military police. This year special thanks were given to the Tacoma/Pierce County Chaplaincy program for their service to both the citizens and the first responders during times of crisis. Attendance for the event topped 250 and was held in the Performing Arts Center at Columbia Junior High in Fife. Congratulations to Officer Fleming!
At approximately 11:50am officers responded to the 5400 block of Interstate 5 as several calls came in to the dispatch center reporting that a woman had jumped from the 54th Street overpass onto Northbound I-5. Three lanes of NB I-5 were temporarily closed as paramedics, Fife PD and WSP responded to aid the woman who was struck after landing on the roadway. The woman was transported to a local hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.