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Pierce County deputy shot, killed in line of duty

FREDERICKSON, Wash. — A Pierce County sheriff's deputy was shot and killed while responding to a call of an armed robbery near Spanaway in the Frederickson area late Sunday night.

One of the two suspects was found dead at the scene and the other was taken into custody after an hours-long manhunt. Now the community prepares for a funeral and a candlelight vigil.

Key developments:
  • Deputy Daniel McCartney was the first to arrive at a home in Frederickson.
  • He saw a suspect fleeing the home and ran after him.
  • Shots were fired and the deputy was shot. He later died at the hospital.
  • One suspect is dead and the second suspect was taken into custody.
  • Anyone with information can call 1-855-798-8477 with tips
  • McCartney, 34, was a married father of 3.
Deputy first to arrive at robbery scene

Deputies were called to the area of 45th Avenue Court East and 200th Street East for an attempted drug-related armed robbery at a home at 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

Four adults and two children, ages 2 and 3, live in the mobile home near 200th Street East and 45th Avenue Court East. The home had no beds and was filthy.

In the past two years, deputies responded to 18 prior calls there.

The residents were inside the home at the time of the incident and screaming could be heard in the background.

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When the first deputy arrived within six minutes, a suspect fled and the deputy ran after him. Police said they believe there was a gun battle and the deputy was hit.

He was taken to an area hospital in critical condition where he later died.

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A gun that was found is believed to be the one used to shoot the deputy.

A suspect in the armed robbery was found dead at the scene.  The second suspect was arrested Monday morning. Scroll down to read about the suspects.

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Roads were closed in the area for nearly seven hours. They are now open except for 200th, which will remain closed from 42nd Avenue to 50th Avenue as investigators continue to process the scene.

Pierce County Sheriff's Department spokesman Ed Troyer said the site of the robbery was a "known house" to the sheriff's department and that a warrant would be obtained to search the premises.

About the fallen deputy

The deputy was identified as Daniel McCartney, 34. He was a Navy veteran who previously worked  for the Hoquiam Police Department for six years. He was from Yelm and had been on the force for three years. He was a married father of three boys, ages 4, 6 and 9 years old.%

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He was an active member at his Crossfit gym in Yelm.

Today we lost a Hero, Son, Father, Husband, Veteran and Police Officer.

Daniel McCartney was an amazing human! At CrossFit Yelm you couldn't ask for a better athlete or coach. Our hearts are breaking with all of you during this time.

Officers lined up at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tacoma as the officer's body was loaded into a vehicle. A procession of police vehicles followed his body to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office.

The sheriff's department has set up a Legacy Fund for the deputy's family. Donations can be taken at any Tapco Credit Union.  You can also donate online here. All of the money collected will go to the deputy's wife and three sons.

Community prepares for funeral and vigil:

The Puget Sound region remembered McCartney on Tuesday when a procession took him from the medical examiner's office to a funeral home.

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Now, the community prepares for his funeral. The "celebration of life" ceremony will be held Jan. 17 at Pacific Lutheran University in the Olson Auditorium. It starts at 1 p.m. and will be open to the public.

A candlelight vigil will be held as well, on Friday, Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

The vigil will be hosted at Life Center Rainier, at 17708 28th Avenue E. in Tacoma.

About the suspects

Three people are suspected of being involved in the home invasion on Sunday. After his arrest on Monday, Frank William Pawul was held for investigation of first-degree murder.

The 32-year-old Pawul has a criminal record that includes identity theft, residential burglary and drug possession.

He was arrested on unrelated warrants Monday as police conducted a manhunt.

A second suspect, 35-year-old Henry Michael Carden, was found dead at the scene.

A third person was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of rendering assistance in connection with the incident, according to Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer.

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The 52-year-old woman drove two male suspects to the home in the small community of Frederickson late Sunday, Troyer told The News Tribune newspaper in Tacoma.

Troyer said she was supposed to be their getaway driver but abandoned them when she heard police sirens.

The investigation continues.

Timeline of events during manhunt:

Information came into the KIRO 7 newsroom throughout the day as the manhunt unfolded and the community mounted. You can see those updates in a timeline here.

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