Bellevue Officers to Receive Coveted Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Award

BELLEVUE, Wash. – The Bellevue Police Department (BPD) announced today three current and former officers of the BPD – Officers Kealii Akahane and Jeff Sebers and former Officer Caleb Worthington – will receive the coveted Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor during the May 3^rd ceremony in Olympia. The Officers will be recognized for their exceptional and meritorious conduct while in the performance of duty during an incident on June 6, 2022.

Akahane, Sebers, and Worthington earn this honor after saving the life of a young individual who was under distress and drowning in Phantom Lake. For his actions on that day, Officer Akahane previously received the Carnegie Medal – an award provided to officers or citizens who “risk death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others.”

“Every day, the Bellevue Police Department proudly serves its community without expectation of acknowledgment or special praise. It’s who we are, and we’re proud to serve this great City. But, there are special circumstances that arise where special recognition must be made, and Officers Akahane, Sebers, and Worthington deserve this esteemed honor,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of Police.

According to the State of Washington, recipients of the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor are reserved for police officers who are either killed in the line of duty or distinguish themselves by exceptional meritorious conduct. Click here to see past recipients including former BPD Officers Jordan Jackson and Greg Lum, 2023 and 1998 honorees.

Shirley continued, “Because of these Officers’ work, not only was a life saved, but they embodied the values of courage, selflessness, and heroism we all strive to achieve in an emergency.”

Media interested in attending the reception should RSVP with PIO Drew Anderson at daanderson@bellevuewa.gov. Details about the reception ahead of the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony are as follows:

WHO: Bellevue Police Officers Kealii Akahane and Jeff Sebers and former BPD Officer Caleb Worthington

WHAT: Reception for Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony

WHEN: Friday, May 3, at 2:30pm 

WHERE: Evergreen Christian Community Main Campus in Olympia

Media interested in attending the Medal of Honor Ceremony should contact the Washington Attorney General’s Office at david.heitzman@atg.wa.gov.