Man pleads guilty to murder of Pierce County deputy
Aug 3, 2018, 9:40 AM | Updated: 11:24 am
Law enforcement and other officials salute as the flag-draped coffin of slain Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Daniel McCartney is carried by pall bearers, Jan. 17. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool)
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool)
Frank Pawul will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of Pierce County Deputy Daniel McCartney.
RELATED: Procession for fallen Pierce County deputy
Pawul pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Friday morning. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office streamed the court hearing live.
Two other people awaiting trial remain in custody.
Deputy McCartney was shot and killed in a shootout in January while investigating a home invasion in Frederickson. He was a married father of three.
One suspect, Henry Carden, was killed by an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after attempting to flee the scene.
According to the sheriff’s office, the attempted robbery was likely carried out to obtain money or drugs at a home well-known to police. Detective Ed Troyer at the time said deputies had been to the house more than a dozen times in just over a year.
“There’s heroin that goes in and out of there. I don’t care what anyone tells you from that residence, they put the situation together — the people that live there — to let this happen. To let our deputy get shot,” Troyer said at the time.
Two children were home at the time of the robbery.
Still awaiting trial for the death of Deputy McCartney are 29-year-old Samantha Jones and 52-year-old Brenda Troyer.
Widow responds
After giving thanks for the support she and her children have received following the death of Deputy McCartney, Cierra McCartney called the guilty plea a “positive development.”
“That said, Daniel was ripped from me and my sons a mere seven months ago and his murder left a gaping hole in our lives that will never fully heal,” Cierra said.
“To the degree possible, I have been focused on rebuilding our lives … we are taking each new day one minute at a time and slowly finding joy amidst our heartache.
“As time goes on, I would ask that you remember Daniel and the fact that he gave his life protecting his community.
“Daniel was a hero and should always be remembered as such.”
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