Five Auburn Police officers have been awarded the department’s Medal of Life Saving Recognition for their actions during a January shooting that left a victim with multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers Donovan, Emtman, Ransier, Obregon and Turner were honored by the Auburn Police Department for their response to a shooting on Jan. 25, 2026, at about 1:29 a.m. at the Spunky Monkey, according to department materials.

Police said the incident began as a physical altercation between two men, during which one man shot the other. Officers arrived at the scene, entered the bar and located the victim inside, where they immediately began providing life-saving medical care.

The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was in and out of consciousness while losing a significant amount of blood, according to the department. Officers used medical supplies including combat gauze and chest seals to treat the injuries and worked to stabilize the victim until medics arrived.

Officers also assessed the extent of the injuries, checked for additional wounds and worked to keep the victim alert. In some cases, officers applied pressure to wounds, assisted each other with medical treatment and monitored the victim’s condition during the response.

According to the department, officers provided medical care for more than seven minutes before Valley Regional Fire Authority and medics arrived and assumed control of life-saving efforts. The victim was transported to a hospital and survived.

A VRFA battalion chief who responded to the incident later wrote:

“Their quick action and professionalism directly led to the positive medical outcome of VRFA and King County Medic 1 responders getting the patient to the hospital in stable condition.”

The department said the level of trauma required a high degree of medical skill beyond what officers typically encounter, and credited the officers’ calm demeanor and training for helping save the victim’s life.

“Without your quick response, ability to remain calm, and training, it is unlikely the patient would have survived,” the department wrote in recognition letters signed by Auburn Police Chief Mark Caillier.

The awards were presented on April 13, 2026.