HollyMatkinTacoma, WA – The New York Yankees showed their support for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) on Friday, when the team sent the office a large flower wreath in honor of a fallen deputy.
PCSD Deputy Daniel McCartney, 34, was murdered in the line of duty on Jan. 8 when he responded to a report of a home invasion.
The PCSD thanked the 27-time world champions for their compassionate gesture in a Facebook post, which included photos of the gift.
In a hand-written card attached to the wreath, the Yankees offered their condolences to Deputy McCartney’s family – both blood and blue.
“With our deepest sympathies, our thoughts and prayers are with the entire McCartney family and the family of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department – The New York Yankees,” the card read.
“This was truly an amazing gesture of support and compassion from a world class organization,” the PCSD wrote in their post.
“Around here it’s not very often that we are surprised, but we have to admit that when this wreath arrived at our headquarters we all were quite surprised. We also have to admit that we all might just be Yankees fans after this (gulp!)…” the post read, jesting at the rivalry between the Seattle Mariners and the Yankees.
The Department concluded by thanking the team once more.
“To the New York Yankees: from our “boys (& girls) in blue” to your “boys in blue”, THANK YOU SO MUCH for honoring Deputy McCartney, and for supporting our department and his family. Your generosity and thoughtfulness is appreciated beyond words,” the post read.
According to The News Tribune, the Yankees have also made similar gestures in memory of officers killed in the line of duty in the past.
Deputy McCartney responded to a report of a home invasion at 11:25 p.m. on Jan 8. During the 911 call, the dispatchers could hear screaming and a scuffle taking place.
He arrived at the home six minutes after the 911 call, and immediately started chasing two fleeing suspects.
A few minutes later, there was gunfire, and Deputy McCartney was fatally shot.
Investigators said they believe the fallen officer was able to return fire at the men.
Deputy McCartney was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in critical condition, and died during surgery just after 2 a.m., the Puyallup Patch reported.
Henry Carden, 35, was found dead near the home where the burglary took place. A handgun was found near his body, The News Tribune reported.
Frank Pawul, 32, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Deputy McCartney.
Deputy McCartney and his wife had been married for 13 years, and had three young boys. He served in the U.S. Navy for six years, and earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, among other honors, according to KIRO.
The deputy had been with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for three years, according to a Facebook post on the sheriff’s department’s page. He was a Hoquiam police officer for six years before he joined Pierce County.
“Dan was a good guy and a good police officer,” Hoquiam Police Sergeant Jeff Salstrom told KXRO. “More importantly he was an extremely devoted dad.”
Deputy McCartney will be laid to rest on Wednesday, The News Tribune reported.
As many as 3,000 people are expected to attend his memorial service.
Hundreds of law enforcement and fire vehicles will accompany the slain deputy on a 45-minute memorial procession to Pacific Lutheran University, and members of the community were asked to line up along the route in a display of support.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee ordered that all flags be flown at half-staff in Deputy McCartney’s honor.