P.O. Box 901, Prosser WA 99350 /wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com / 360.597.4411

Raymond L. Hawn was born on October 1, 1942, to Merle R. Hawn and Frances E. Paullin in Glendale, California.

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The family relocated to the Yakima Valley where Hawn attended school. He graduated from Grandview High School in 1961, and continued his education at Yakima Valley College. Trooper Hawn's father, Merle, passed away in 2002, and his mother, Frances, in 2005.

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Hawn worked at a Yakima-based door plant and in a Bellingham-area aluminum plant before being hired by the Washington State Patrol in 1968. Hawn served as a cadet in Bremerton before joining the 46th Trooper Cadet Class.

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Trooper Hawn was commissioned on November 9, 1970, under the leadership of Chief Will Bachofner. He was initially assigned to Seattle where he was awarded a safe driving award in 1973. Trooper Hawn transferred to North Bend on April 1, 1976.

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Trooper Hawn temporarily transferred back to Bellevue in April 1984, and returned to North Bend six months later. His final transfer was to Sunnyside in August 1987.

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Trooper Hawn married Karen Trimm on April 20, 1985. He was the father of three children: Brett, Kelsey, and AJ (Adam).

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Trooper Raymond Hawn died on January 17, 1990, at the age of 47. Trooper Hawn was struck by a vehicle while rendering assistance to a motorcyclist who had run out of gas alongside Hwy 12 near Grandview. At the time of his death, Trooper Hawn had served 21 years with the Washington State Patrol.

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Trooper Hawn's wife, Karen, passed away from cancer eight years after his death.  The Hawn children, Kelsey and AJ (Adam) were raised by Karen's parents, Chuck and Marilyn Trimm, at the Hawn home in Grandview.  Chuck lost his battle with cancer in October 2008.  Marilyn, who turns 89 in April, is living with her daughter, Kathy, in Renton.  Kelsey lives in Port Orchard with her cat and dog.  She works as an instructor and judge for the dog sports Barn Hunt and NASDA.  She's also a licensed vet tech but took a break from working in the field a few years ago. AJ graduated from Western Washington University in May 2010, and has moved back to the Hawn home in Grandview.

 

Trooper Hawn's oldest son from a previous marriage, Brett, lives in Bothell with his wife, Shylo, and their two sons, Hudson (11 years old) and Jameson (eight years old).  Brett is the Clubhouse Services and Operations Director at Overlake Golf & Country Club.

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Trooper Hawn's twin sister, Jan, lives in Colorado.  His other sister, Patricia, lives in Portland, Oregon.  His brother, Richard, passed away in 2011.  Trooper Hawn has many nieces and nephews; Mark, Michael, Hether, Michael, Monique, Hayes, Jamie, Kristen, Stacie, Brian, Vanessa, and Jackie. 

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In November 2007, the WSP officially dedicated the newly constructed Grandview scale and detachment office in memory of Trooper Hawn. The collision that took his life occurred less than half a mile from this building. The building was given the numerical designation 741 (Trooper Hawn's badge number), so he would forever be remembered whenever a trooper signed out at the office. A wreath laying ceremony was held on January 17, 2020, at 2 p.m. at the Grandview Scale to honor the 30-year anniversary of Trooper Hawn's sacrifice.

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In May of 1996, Trooper Hawn was awarded the Washington Law Enforcement Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his actions on January 17, 1990.

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Please take a moment to remember Trooper Raymond Hawn and his family today.