Police Officer Shot in Mount Vernon Identified

Mount Vernon, WA – On December 15, 2016 at approximately 5:30pm, Mount Vernon Police were investigating a weapon offense at the intersection of LaVenture Road and Fir Street.

As officers approached a home to see if there were any witnesses to the event, a subject opened fire on the approaching officers striking and critically injuring Officer Mike McClaughry.  Officer McClaughry was pulled to safety by his fellow officers and transported to Skagit Valley Hospital. He was  later taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Officer Mike McClaughry or “Mick” to everyone who knows him joined the Mount Vernon Police Department May 28, 1985.  Serving this community for 31 years would not be adequate words for what Mick has contributed to all of us.

Mick is the father of three grown children, a grandfather, a brother and an extended father figure to so many children in this community.  Mick was the Department’s first DARE Officer providing mentoring and modeling to children K-6th grade.  He spent many years in the Boy Scout program often being the one who assisted with the long 50 mile hikes.

Mick grew up in Everett, Washington graduating from Cascade Senior High School and then attending Washington State University where he majored in business.  He served for 3 ½ years as a Reserve Police Officer for the City of Everett before joining Mount Vernon Police Department.

Officer McClaughry’s professional career  included D.A.R.E. Officer, Criminal Investigator, uniformed Patrol and most significantly a Field Training Officer.  Mick has probably mentored or taught over the half the staff we have working today, and we are a better organization for it.

The McClaughry family is overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from our community and the law enforcement agencies across the State and country.  The Seattle Police Department and Washington State Patrol have been at their side the entire time at Harborview  providing any support they need.

The McClaughry family is very private and requests that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.  Any public statements from the family will come from the Mount Vernon Police Department we are asking members of the media or the public to direct their inquiries to us.

On behalf of the McClaughry family, Chief Jerry Dodd and the entire Mount Vernon Police Department, we thank all the law enforcement agencies who are supporting us and the outpouring of support we’ve received from our community.

Lieutenant Chris Cammock

Mount Vernon Police Department

 

 

Press Release Written and provided by Lt. Chris Cammock