Police Officer Joshua Hong put his life on the line, using deadly force to stop a suspected car thief from stealing a Pacific patrol car on Feb. 6.

For his actions, the six-year veteran received the Medal of Valor, awarded to any police officer in Washington State “who has saved, or attempted to save, the life of another at the risk of serious injury or death to himself or herself.”

“While on duty with the Pacific Police Department you encountered a dangerous felon,” Pacific Police Chief John Calkins read from the citation at Monday’s City Council meeting. “Due to the actions of the suspect you were required to risk your life to protect the citizens of Pacific and your own life in the most complex and difficult decision to make in law enforcement, whether to use deadly force. Your decision to use deadly force was the correct decision, and you are to be commended for that act.”

At 10:40 a.m. Feb. 6 Hong tried to pull over a 41-year-old man suspected of driving a stolen vehicle through Pacific.

The suspect eluded Hong, leading him on a vehicle pursuit through a residential area that ended in a driveway in the 200 block of Sunset Drive.

After stopping the stolen truck, the suspect got out and tried to run off. Hong then parked directly behind the truck, left his patrol car and chased the man.

After circling the house, the man jumped into the running patrol car and tried to drive away. Unable to stop the man, Hong jumped into the patrol car, wedging himself between the suspect and the driver’s seat. After warning the suspect to stop the vehicle, Hong shot the man three times after he had backed the car up and put it into drive.

During the incident, the police car crashed into a Hummer in the driveway of a house across the street, pushing it into the garage door and part way into the garage.

The suspect was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He is expected to live.

A King County Investigative Response Team investigation found Hong was justified in using deadly force.

“The facts of this case demonstrate under any standards that if (the suspect) is not apprehended, he posed a risk of serious harm to Officer Hong and likely others as well,” Calkins read from the investigation at the award ceremony.

“You risked your life by entering the patrol car, which was running, while the suspect had control of the vehicle,” Calkins read. “The fact that you survived the reckless manner in which the suspect drove the patrol car while you were hanging outside the vehicle and that you survived the impact of the crash, which totaled the patrol car, are a true testament that you performed above and beyond all expectations that are placed on you in the performance of your duty. Therefore, you have duly earned the Medal of Valor, and you have made the members of this organization very proud.”

“Officer Hong, it makes me very proud to have you as a member of our police force,” said Mayor Leanne Guier. “The acts that took place on that evening and the service that you provided with an act of bravery protecting the citizens of Pacific make me very proud to have you a part of the force. And I know the council and citizens of Pacific join me in that.”

The King County Prosector’s Office is reviewing the case to decide what charges, if any, will be brought against the suspect.