Fallen officer honored as ‘special gift to all’

LACEY – Hundreds of mourners gathered Wednesday at Saint Martin’s University to pay their respects to a Lewis County sheriff’s deputy who died last week in the line of duty.

Stephen “Mike” Gallagher was critically injured on the evening of Aug. 17 when his patrol car struck an elk on U.S. Highway 12 near Packwood. He was en route to provide backup to a deputy who responded to a dispute between neighbors. He was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center where he died of his injuries the following evening.

His death – the first for a Lewis County Sheriff’s deputy in the line of duty since 1986 – reverberated around the Puget Sound area law enforcement community.

“When one officer pays the ultimate sacrifice for his community and his agency, we all kind of feel that,” Thurston County Undersheriff Brad Watkins said before the service. “It hits very close to home for every officer involved in law enforcement because we all know it could happen to any one of us at any time.”

Watkins said a dozen Thurston County sheriff’s deputies were working three shifts in the neighboring county so their Lewis County colleagues could attend the memorial service. The agency’s eight-member honor guard participated in the service. Several personnel from the sheriff’s office also attended the memorial.

Chief John Stines was among seven Tumwater Police Department employees who attended.

Lacey Police Chief Dusty Pierpoint attended while his officers provided traffic control at the memorial service. A busy stretch of College Street was shut down for about 15 minutes to allow a procession to arrive at the campus of Saint Martin’s University after a private ceremony in Napavine.

About a dozen members of the Olympia Police Department attended the memorial.

Thurston County Sheriff Dan Kimball and Olympia Police Chief Gary Michel were out of town.

Gallagher’s family members embraced one another and shed tears in front of his closed, flag-laden casket at the memorial. His young son and daughter held their mother as friends and fellow officers attempted to explain a life of service in few words.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better partner,” said Gallagher’s former Lewis County Jail co-worker, Chehalis Police officer Chris Taylor. “He had the heart of a lion and the patience of a father. He loved being a soldier, but his love for his family was greater.”

Friends said he left the Army after eight years to be closer to his wife and kids.

The emotional procession left deputies and family members clutching tissues and holding each other close. Sheriff Steve Mansfield’s voice shook as he described the fallen soldier.

“You have met our mission,” Mansfield said of Gallagher in a speech. “You have upheld your oath of office, and you have made a positive difference in my life. Rest in peace. You’re a fine soldier, a strong warrior, a good man and a special gift to all of us.”