SEQUIM –– In the dark night of Jan. 29, Raven Crawford heard a woman’s screams near his home and didn’t hesitate.
“In bare feet, and with little regard for his own safety, Mr. Crawford ran nearly a block to assist the female,” Police Chief Bill Dickinson said.
Crawford wrestled the woman’s assailant to the ground and held him there until police arrived.
“I got to play hero for about 10 minutes because I knew I could count on our paid, professional heroes to relieve me,” Crawford said. “Which they did just in time.”
For his actions, Crawford was given the city’s Citizen Commendation Award by Dickinson and Mayor Candace Pratt at Monday’s City Council meeting.
“What he saw was wrong, and he decided to do something about it,” Dickinson said.
Standing ovation
The crowd of more than 30 at Monday’s meeting gave Crawford a standing ovation after he received the award.
Crawford was in his home at a trailer court near the intersection of West Washington Street and Brackett Road when he heard the screams.
Without waiting to put on his shoes, he ran down the paved roadway, where he saw “a very pregnant” woman being assaulted by a man.
Crawford wrestled the man away, suffering abrasions and a puncture wound from what police believe was a needle in the assailant’s pocket.
“Completely out of energy,” Crawford held the assailant for about 10 minutes until officers arrived.
The assailant, who was not identified at the meeting, was later convicted on assault and domestic violence charges, Dickinson said.
The chief credited Crawford for acting quickly but advised others to contact police in such emergencies.
“Obviously, we don’t want people trying to play vigilante, but Mr. Crawford was very brave to step in as other citizens were there watching,” Dickinson said.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
