Officer shot in Pasco ambush awarded department’s Purple Heart
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Officer Phil Hanks, wounded in 2023 Circle K ambush, received Purple Heart.
- Hanks underwent three surgeries, months of therapy and remains off patrol.
- Suspect David Galvez charged with attempted murder; trial delayed by injuries.
Three years ago a routine call nearly turned deadly for Tri-Cities officers. This week the Pasco Police Department honored an officer hurt in the incident.
During an ambush at a Circle K convenience store in Pasco on March 24, 2023, Pasco Police Officer Phil Hanks was shot in the arm by a gunman.
On Thursday morning, Hanks received the department’s Purple Heart Award.
“We’re gathered today to recognize extraordinary sacrifice and courage in the face of violence and a career of dedicated public service,” Pasco Police Chief Ken Roske said during the ceremony.
Hanks said since the incident in 2023, he’s had three surgeries and completed months of physical therapy. He’s still not back to patrol duties.
“There’s no greater feeling in the world than being on the ground and hearing a whole bunch of sirens and all of your friends coming at the same time,” he told the Tri-City Herald.
“I won’t forget that.”
In a word, he describes his recovery over the last three years as “painful.” It’s taken a physical and mental toll.
Hanks joined the Pasco Police Department in 2021, starting at the Pasco Police training academy at age 46.
He retired from his job as a U.S. Army intelligence officer in 2019 and moved from North Carolina to Eastern Washington the next year. He grew up in Othello and his wife Aubree is from Moses Lake.
Hanks had many family members supporting him at the award ceremony — two grandchildren, three sons, his daughter, his son-in-law, two daughters-in law, his parents and his wife’s parents.
He calls the police department a “family” and was happily surprised to see so many first responders attending Thursday’s ceremony.
Hanks and Benton County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenton Childers were honored in May 2024 with the state Law Enforcement Medal of Honor for their response.
2023 shooting and chase
Almost three years ago, Officer Hanks was called to the Circle K convenience store on West Court Street to check on a reckless driver in a white BMW shortly after 5:45 a.m.
Hanks stopped in front of the car to block it from leaving the parking lot and began walking toward it. David Ramon Galvez, 38, was charged with shooting through the closed driver’s side door, wounding Hanks in the arm.
Hanks dropped to the ground and backed away to safety behind his patrol car and called for help, according to court documents.
Officers from across the Tri-Cities responded and began looking for the car and driver. A Franklin County sergeant spotted it and, with the help of another deputy, tried to stop it.
Galvez reportedly refused to stop, and led the deputies on a five-minute chase reaching speeds of 70 mph, according to documents.
Deputy Childers and another Benton County deputy prepared to deploy a spike strip to damage the car’s tires. Childers was in his car as Galvez drove into the intersection and aimed his car directly at the patrol car, said investigators.
Galvez allegedly pointed a gun at Childers, who shot and wounded him.
Galvez survived, but has a traumatic brain injury, is unable to walk without help and must wear a helmet, according to his family.
He was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, but has not yet faced trial due to his medical condition.
