Published: Sunday, February 23, 2025

Today, we remember one of our Fallen Heroes, Washington State Patrol Trooper Radulescu who was conducting a traffic stop just before 0100 hours on February 23, 2012. The traffic stop was being conducted on State Route 16, at Milepost 28, on Anderson Hill Road in Gorst (Kitsap County), Washington State.

Photo Credit: WSP

DEADLY ENCOUNTER WITH A FELON

The veteran Trooper radioed in his location along with the vehicle’s license plate and description to his Dispatchers. When the Dispatcher(s) status checked the Trooper, they were unable to contact him via their radio. They tried again and still no response from the Trooper, so a Kitsap County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to his location to check on him. When the Deputy arrived, he found Trooper Radulescu lying near his patrol car with a gunshot wound. Multiple resources quickly arrived on the scene to assist with the incident that unfolded before their eyes.

According to Officer Down Memorial Page, they stated the Trooper approached the driver from the passenger side of the truck, in which the driver was determined to be a felon. He had told his girlfriend (passenger) to lean back when the Trooper approached her door and that is when the driver opened fire and hit the Trooper.

The vehicle was found abandoned on a Port Orchard country road about three hours after the incident. After an intense manhunt for the suspect, a SWAT Team approached the registered vehicle owner’s home but when they got near it, the suspect committed suicide. The passenger was later sentenced to one year in prison for their role connected to the shooting.

SAVING ONE OF THEIR OWN

In an attempt to save his life, he was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, where he succumbed to his injuries and passed away.

Photo Credit: WSP

LEAVING A LEGACY BEHIND LIKE NO OTHER

Let’s talk about the amazing life and legacy, Trooper Radulescu left for all of us who remain here still on this Earth.

Tony V. Radulescu was born in Bucharest, Romania in 1967, whose family would later immigrate to the United States of America in 1981 when he was just 14 years of age. He became a U.S. Citizen and graduated from high school in Trenton, New Jersey in June of 1986.

He served his country when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in the summer of 1986 serving in the first Gulf War, and remained on active duty through 1994. He would later on the Army Reserves and retiring in 2008 as a Sgt. First Class. During his service of more than two decades, he was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, Army Lapel Button, Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

He began his career with the Washington State Patrol in 1995, where he became a member of the 79th Trooper Basic Training Class. He would successfully complete the program and become commissioned as a Sworn State Trooper (Badge #557) in July of 1996. He was assigned to the Kitsap County area, where he served throughout his 16-year career in Poulsbo and Bremerton detachments.

Those who knew him well, describe his magnetic personality among the community he served while often engaging in assisting with local school programs and as an active member of the Aggressive Driving Apprehension Team known as ADAT.

He was survived by his mother, brother, sister, and brother, as well as his girlfriend and his son.

The story does not stop here as many things occurred well after his death, which is a testament to the legacy he left behind.

ALWAYS REMEMBERED. NEVER FORGOTTEN.

In May of 2012, Trooper Radulescu was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his actions on February 23, 2012, by the Law Enforcement – Medal of Honor Committee.

In February 2013, a memorial was dedicated to Trooper Radulescu at the Bremerton District Office.

In 2016, a ceremony dedicating a portion of SR 16 from milepost 18-28 to honor Trooper Tony Radulescu, was held at the DOT Mullenix Facility in Port Orchard, Washington.

In February 2022, a ceremony was held at the Bremerton WSP office to honor the 10th anniversary of his line-of-duty death.

Trooper Radulescu and the other 32 WSP Fallen Officers will be honored at the WSP Memorial Foundation dinner and auction on April 12, 2025, at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Spokane, Washington.

“On the anniversary of his death, we pause to remember a man who became an American by choice, who then chose to serve his new country in a time of war and in a time of peace that he helped secure. His choices of service did not end there however, he joined law enforcement and willingly placed himself in harm’s way day after day, night after night, shift after shift, for 16 years before his death in the line of duty.

We remember his smile. We remember his sacrifice. We remember his choices to serve and are honored by his valor. We remember…

– Washington State Patrol (official press release)

Sources: WSP Memorial Foundation, Officer Down Memorial Page, and WSP.

(WSP is the official State Fire Marshal that oversees many aspects of State Fire Services, like overseeing the North Bend Fire Training Academy and State mobilization.)

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