Two police officers to be awarded state Medal of Honor

Two Washington police officers will be awarded Friday with the Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor. One officer will be honored posthumously, the Attorney General's Office announced.

Walla Walla County Sheriff's Deputy Michael O. Estes died after his patrol car was broadsided by a truck while trying to cross a highway to get to a 911 call on Feb. 6, 2007. The two-year officer died a week after the crash, according to the state Attorney General's Office.

Puyallup Officer Gary Shilley was shot March 25, 2006, after he pulled up on what appeared to be a disabled vehicle in a mall parking lot. When he asked the driver for his license and registration, the driver shot twice, striking the officer in the cheek.

The bullet lodged in his neck but he was able to communicate with dispatchers. The shooter was convicted of attempted first-degree murder and sentenced to 45 years in prison. Shilley, who has been a Puyallup officer for 17 years, returned to duty in June 2007. He is now a K-9 officer, according to the Attorney General's Office.

The officers will be honored during a ceremony at 1 p.m. on the state Capitol Campus in Olympia.

The Medal of Honor was established in 1994 to honor police officers killed in the line of duty or who show exceptional meritorious conduct.