Brian VanWilligen

Ethan Hansen

The Washington Police Department awarded its first ever Officer of the Year recognition during Wednesday’s city council meeting.

Chief Jim Lester gave an annual report to the council, noting highlights of the pandemic’s effect on the department, as well as their involvement in multiple peaceful protests that happened over the summer, and the move into their new facility. With 2020 being Lester’s first full year as chief, he announced Criminal Investigator Brian VanWilligen as recipient of the Officer of the Year award. VanWilligen assumed the responsibilities of investigator in February of 2020 following the retirement of Ron See, and he previously served as a patrol officer since 2005. VanWilligen says he was kind of shocked to hear about the award, “I would like to say that 95% of the time when something lands on my desk the case is just about done. The patrol guys have done such an outstanding job that I’m more there for the shining of the case and to polish it, moreso than anything else. They do an outstanding job and we’re lucky to have all of those guys.”

VanWilligen’s investigations in 2020 resulted in multiple felony arrests and convictions. Lester also gave Officer Ethan Hansen a commendation for his rescue of a person from a vehicle fire on July 6th. You can hear more from VanWilligen in the final edition of the KCII Public Safety Special Edition News Magazine on air today and at kciiradio.com.