Local state troopers honored by governor

Gov. Jay Inslee and Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste remembered fallen troopers Wednesday and recognized employees around the state for their work in 2014.

Wednesday’s ceremony at the training academy in Shelton recognized the 28 officers who’ve lost their lives in the line of duty since the state patrol was formed in 1921.

Five local troopers who work in District 5, a five-county area that includes Clark County, were among those who won awards during the ceremony.

• Trooper Michael Johnson won the Chief Will Bachofner award, otherwise known as the trooper of the year award, which is the highest honor.

• Trooper Will Finn, a media spokesman for the area, won the excellence in safety award.

• Trooper Joshua Winborne won the district’s “looking beyond the traffic stop” award.

• Thomas Byrnes, who works at the Ridgefield Port of Entry, was named the commercial vehicle enforcement officer of the year.

• Thomas Adams won the district communications officer of the year award.