MOSES LAKE, WA — A Moses Lake Police officer will be honored by the U.S. Attorney General’s Office Thursday for his bravery during a deadly shooting at the Gorge Amphitheater three years ago.
Officer Edgar Salazar will receive the Hometown Hero Award at 11 a.m. in the Moses Lake City Council Chambers for his actions on June 17, 2023, when he helped stop an active shooter who had killed two people and wounded three others in the campground.
On that day, 28-year-old James Kelly opened fire in the Gorge campground, killing two people and shooting three more, including his girlfriend, whom he was holding hostage when officers arrived on scene. Salazar and four other officers were working undercover conducting a drug investigation in the campground when the shooting began.
The officers witnessed Kelly beating the female victim and attempting to choke her. Armed only with small backup pistols and wearing no body armor, the five officers made the decision to advance on Kelly across an open field that provided no cover or protection.
As the officers closed the distance, Kelly fired on them. Despite the gunfire, they pressed forward, covering approximately 150 yards of exposed ground.
When they reached a distance of 60 to 70 yards from Kelly, Salazar fired once, striking Kelly in the head and ending the threat. Officers were then able to provide medical aid to the victim and take Kelly into custody.
The Department of Justice presents the Hometown Hero Award to individuals who “demonstrate exceptional bravery, civic responsibility, and steadfast dedication to the enduring ideals of liberty and service.” Salazar was selected for the award by former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
All five officers involved in the incident have previously been recognized for their actions. They each received the Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor from the governor and their department’s highest awards for valor.
Salazar, a former Marine who served in combat in Iraq, has been with the Moses Lake Police Department for 11 years. At the time of the incident, he was assigned as a Street Crimes Detective and as a task force officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The public is invited to attend tomorrow’s ceremony at the Moses Lake City Council Chambers.
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