BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Two Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputies are back on the job after being shot while on duty earlier this year.
Deputies Ryan Rathbun and Jason Thompson were called to a dispute in Peaceful Valley on February 10th when both were shot in the head by 61-year-old Joel Young.
Both deputies were cleared to return to service after undergoing several medical procedures.
Deputy Rathbun is a 16-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, having served as a Field Training Officer, a member of the Criminal Interdiction Team and the SWAT team.
Deputy Thompson has been with the sheriff’s office for 13 years and is currently the South Lake Whatcom Neighborhood Deputy.
Young remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail on attempted murder charges.