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CWU establishes scholarship in honor of Kittitas County deputy killed in line of duty

Deputy Ryan Thompson, 42.

Central Washington University announced Monday that it has established an endowed scholarship fund in honor of Officer Ryan Thompson, who was killed in the line of duty in Kittitas County.

The scholarship was established by the CWU Alumni Association board of directors along with members of the CWU Campus Police Department.

Thompson, 42, graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1995. He is survived by his wife Sara and three children, Madison, 16, Pepper, 3, and Archer, 1.

The fallen deputy started his career in law enforcement as a reserve Kittitas County deputy in 2004 and served as a corrections officer prior to becoming a Central Washington University police officer in 2007. He returned to the Sheriff's Department in 2013.

“We felt it was very important for Ryan’s memory and legacy to be preserved in perpetuity here at Central,” said CWU Alumni Association President Dan Nicklaus. “Not only for the person that he was, but also for the example of leadership and service that he will continue to be for CWU students for decades to come.”

The Ryan Thompson Memoiral Endowed Scholarship will provide financial aid to students who are pursuing a career in law enforcement, with preference given to students who are dependents of law enforcement officers.

“Ryan was a friend, colleague, and an important part of the CWU and greater Kittitas County community,” said CWU Campus Police Chief Jason Berthon-Koch. “We are delighted to partner with the CWU Alumni Association to make sure his contributions and sacrifice are never forgotten.”

To learn more about the scholarship or make an additional donation, visit this link.

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