Skagit County Mourns Loss of Beloved Retired Police Officer

Skagit County, WA  – The Skagit County community is mourning the loss of one of our long time (now retired) Mount Vernon  Police Officers, Sergent Pete Lindberg.

According to a Twitter post from his son, Chad Lindberg, retired Mount Vernon Police Officer Pete Lindberg died unexpectedly on Sunday, March 20th, 2022 from a sudden heart attack.  Chad wrote “It’s with a broken heart I regret to inform you that my dad, Pete Lindberg, died unexpectedly Sunday Night from a sudden heart attack. He died in our arms as we all tried to save him. Dad is a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, retired (Mount Vernon) Police Officer, and a friend to many. We are beyond devastated. He is our Life. Thank You in advance for your support and condolences. Our family asks for the space to grieve as we navigate through this awful tragedy. He is the greatest man, a true hero, a leader, and we’ll never be the same.  We Love you Dad. Rest in Peace.”

On November 20, 2017, Sergeant Lindberg was awarded the Gold Medal of Valor along with Mount Vernon Sergeant Mike Don, Mount Vernon Officers Wayne Jones, Ben Green and Elizabeth Paul, and Burlington Officer Preston Payne at a ceremony at held at McIntyre Hall for their response to a weapons offense call they responded to in 2016. In that Weapons Offense incident, as Officers approached a residence, gunshots were fired from inside, striking Mount Vernon Police Officer Mike McClaughry in the head.  Officers Paul and Payne assisted McClaughry to Sergeant Don’s vehicle, transporting McClaughry to a nearby ambulance. Officer Green provided cover, while Sergeant Lindberg and Officer Jones provided directed fire during the officer down rescue. As a result, Officer McClaughry was able to get transferred to medical care and lived.  He lost his sight as a result of the incident and was awarded a Purple Heart at the same ceremony.

“These officers went beyond the call of duty and exhibiting extraordinary courage and decisiveness, and presence of mind, selflessly rushing towards danger to save a wounded officer despite the imminent danger to themselves, said Chief Jerry Dodd, now retired.