Renton’s American Legion chapter honored first responders as part of their yearly tradition and ended the celebration with dessert.

On March 27, at the Renton American Legion Post 19, the post members honored Renton Police Department Officer Blake Bowie for his meritorious service medal from RPD, and they honored 911 Operator of the Year Julian Varela-Pedraza from Valley Communications. The two received certificates from the post, and the group celebrated with cake, coffee and cookies afterward.

Post 19 adjutant James Wilhoit presented the post certificate to Bowie for his meritorious service award, which he earned from a Nov. 27, 2024, incident in which he convinced a barricaded man with a knife to surrender peacefully. Wilhoit said that the man he talked down said he wanted to kill officers and die from suicide by cop.

“He stood there talking to the guy for two hours. That’s quite an accomplishment,” Wilhoit said. “And, he was able to finally talk him down and make him give up.”

The second person to receive a certificate from the post was 911 Operator of the Year Julian Varela-Pedraza from Valley Communications, though a representative accepted the award, as Varela-Pedraza was not able to attend the event. Wilhoit said Varela-Pedraza earned his certificate from a Feb. 4, 2024, incident where he responded to a call from an adult man who was with his 6-year-old, whose boat had capsized in the Puget Sound off Normandy Park.

“He handled it with such calm and such patience, and he really was crucial to saving those two people’s lives,” Wilhoit said. “It’s apparent to me that he’s got lots of experience doing that type of thing.”

What’s the American Legion?

For those who don’t know what the American Legion is, Wilhoit said it’s what he thinks is America’s premier veteran organization, with about two million nationwide members. The organization was organized at the end of the First World War, and they were the prime movers behind instituting the original G.I. Bill during World War II. Wilhoit said he served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps. Post 19 is located at 3224 Northeast 12th Street in Renton.

American Legion Post 19 members, Officer Blake Bowie, the Valley Communications representative and Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/The Reporter

American Legion Post 19 member presenting a certificate to the Valley Communications representative. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/The Reporter.