Pierce Deputy Fought Suspects Before He Was Shot

TACOMA, WA - The Pierce County Sheriff's Office Wednesday released a slew of new details in the fatal shooting Sunday night of Deputy Daniel McCartney. McCartney died of a wound that hit above his bulletproof vest, and the second suspect who died at the scene was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Department spokesman Det. Ed Troyer also said that the two suspects involved in the robbery were wearing body armor and carrying .45 caliber handguns. McCartney was able to fire several rounds at the suspects, Troyer confirmed.

The Frederickson home that the two suspects allegedly targeted for robbery was called a "trap house" by Troyer, which is a slang term for a drug house. Deputies had responded to the same home about 15 times over the last year for various disturbances, Troyer said. Two young children, ages 2 and 3, were found inside the home and have been removed from that living situation, Troyer said.

Police have arrested a 32-year-old man named Frank Pawul in connection to McCartney's death. Troyer said police had recovered surveillance video of Pawul hiding in a trash can in the hours after the shooting. Pawul was arrested Monday morning by a state trooper, and was named a suspect by Monday afternoon.

Noting that many officers and paramedics attempted to revive McCartney at the scene, Troyer described the deputy's wound as "catastrophic." Troyer said McCartney likely would not have survived even if he had been at the hospital immediately following the shooting.

Pawul is expected to appear in court Thursday to be arraigned on a first-degree murder charge. Police have also arrested an alleged getaway driver, Brenda Troyer.

There is a candlelight vigil planned for McCartney Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Life Center Rainier, 17708 28th Ave. East, Tacoma.

Image courtesy Pierce County Sheriff