Another Assault On Law Enforcement In Washington

It's been a horrific year for law enforcement in Washington state, and yesterday it grew even worse. From salem-news.com:

Two deputies in Washington were ambushed today as they responded to a family disturbance call in the town of Eatonville, about 30 miles south of Tacoma.

The law enforcement officers entered a home where two brothers were reportedly fighting. After they were invited inside by one brother, the second reportedly retrieved a gun from upstairs and began firing down, striking the two deputies.

In spite of their wounds, the deputies returned fire and killed the suspect, David E. Crable.

Sgt. Nick Hausner, a 20 year veteran of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, was transported to Madigan Army Medical Center.

Jay Ebbeson with the Madigan Army Medical Center, told Salem-News just before 4:00 p.m. that Hausner, who arrived in serious condition, is now in stable condition.

"Sgt Nick Hausnser is now in stable condition, that is an improvement," Ebbeson said, adding that the doctors are pretty confident that he will continue to improve. Nick Hausner is married, and has children who are 14 and 12 years old.

Ebbeson said everyone at the Madigan Army Medical Center is also keeping his fellow officer in their thoughts.

The second deputy, Kent Mundell, is fighting for his life in Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, where he was transported by helicopter after the shooting.

Hospital spokesperson Susan Gregg-Hanson, told Salem-News that Mundell is in critical condition in the facility's Intensive Care Unit.

"He is surrounded by family and friends and other law enforcement officials have been here all day."

Gregg-Hanson said their teams are doing everything possible, "Trauma is our business, he has a lot of support."

In spite of the serious, life-threatening injuries, Gregg-Hanson had an undeniable tone of optimism. Still, it is clear that the injuries are severe.

"Right now it is just hour by hour."

Kent Mundell is married and has two children, a 16-year-old and a 10-year-old.