Tumwater officers honored for saving pregnant woman after suicide attempt

Members of the Tumwater City Council started their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 21, with promotions of two officers within the Tumwater Police Department.

Those two officers were Peter Navarro and Rachel Johnson, who were both promoted to sergeant.

"This is not a role taken lightly. Sergeant is the first step into true servant-leadership, placing the needs of the organization and community above one's own," interim Tumwater Police Chief Carlos Quiles said. "That is the essence of leadership, and that is precisely why Rachel and Peter were selected. They exemplify the qualities, integrity and mindset required to lead others effectively."

Additionally, Quiles gave out the department's Life Saving Award to four other Tumwater Police Department staff - Sergeant Chris Tressler, Sergeant Randy Baughn, officer Chase Grimmett and officer Javkhlan Battumur.

While Tressler, Baughn and Grimmett were in attendance to receive their awards, Quiles explained Batturmur was away attending training, but would be honored at a future event.

Quiles gave them the Life Saving Award for their efforts during a Sept. 19, 2025 incident, where a pregnant woman in Tumwater attempted suicide.

"The officers responded to a report involving a pregnant female who had inflicted severe and potentially fatal injuries to her own throat and wrists, placing both her life and the life of her unborn child in immediate jeopardy," Quiles said. "Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the officers acted without hesitation, forcibly breaching a vehicle window to gain access to the victim and initiating immediate lifesaving measures."

Quiles added some of these officers had given awards before, including Tressler, who previously got the Tumwater Police Department's Medal of Valor.

"We've only ever issued out two of them, and he has been the recipient of both," Quiles said.

And while he was also involved with the incident on Sept. 19, 2025, Quiles gave Acting Sergeant Tim Rios a Tumwater Police Star Medal during Tuesday's meeting for his role in helping save the mother's life.

According to Quiles, Rios was the first officer to recognize the severity of the woman's injuries and was the one who successfully breached the window, pulled her from the car and immediately began life-saving measures.

"He simultaneously directed fellow officers to obtain necessary medical equipment and coordinated the response with clarity and authority," said Quiles. "Throughout the incident, Officer Rios maintained remarkable composure under extreme stress, provided calm and reassuring communication to the injured female, and demonstrated superior tactical judgement and leadership. His actions not only directly saved the lives of both the female and her unborn child, but also exemplified bravery and professionalism well above the normal demands of duty."

He added only one other Police Star had ever been awarded to a member of the Tumwater Police Department, making Rios the second recipient of it ever. Rios spoke and thanked his fellow officers for their help that day in September.

"While I may have made some quick decisions that night, I would've been nowhere without my team. As we navigated that situation, I was in awe of the composure, proficiency and selflessness of our patrol team," Rios said. "Outwardly, I probably appeared calm and focused, but internally, I was afraid. I was truly afraid that despite our best efforts we would be witness to the loss of life of a young woman and her child. It's difficult in this profession to save someone from someone else. Even more so to save someone from themselves. But, the thought of losing a child is something that stays with you. Because of the officers standing before you this evening, that did not happen. Their professionalism and courage really, truly, cannot be overstated."

Rios also thanked members of the Tumwater Fire Department and Thurston County Sheriff's Office for their assistance during the September emergency.

"And to my patrol team, thank you for having my back when it mattered the most," Rios added. "This honor truly belongs to all of you."

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