Rep. DeBolt, House pays tribute to fallen Chehalis police officer

June 27, 2015

The state House of Representatives paused in its proceedings Friday to pay tribute to a Chehalis police officer who recently died from complications of surgery to correct an injury sustained in the line of duty. John Sattgast reports from Olympia.

Sattgast: In February, veteran police officer Rick Silva responded to a theft in progress at a Chehalis retail store. When the suspect resisted arrest, it caused more damage to a previous hip injury Silva had sustained while on duty. The officer went in for surgery to correct the damage, but died June 18th — just one day before his 13th anniversary with the Chehalis Police Department.

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives paused for a moment of silence in honor of the fallen officer and then offered a House resolution in tribute to his service.

Representative Richard DeBolt of Chehalis said Silva's integrity, generosity, and public service made a big impact in the community.

DeBolt: “It's a big loss for us. And you're losing a police officer that treated everybody with courtesy and respect. And anytime you have that, it's a rare find. And you have an officer like Officer Silva and all the Chehalis police officers and Lewis County deputies and state patrolmen that are honorable, hard-working men that serve their community with pride and integrity. And it's, it's hard when you lose one of them.”

Sattgast: Twentieth District State Representative Richard DeBolt. The House approved the resolution unanimously.

John Sattgast, Olympia.