Off-duty Federal Way officer shot while on morning run in Puyallup

The off-duty officer was shot after coming across suspects attempting to break into a Puyallup business.

By Olivia Sullivan • October 31, 2021 1:10 pm

An off-duty Federal Way officer was shot while out for a run in Puyallup on Sunday morning, according to Puyallup Police.

Federal Way Police identified the officer as Donovan Heavener, a founding member of the department.

He was out for his morning run on Oct. 31 when he came across the suspect vehicle and another suspect vehicle trying to break into Jennings Equipment at 11th Street NW and River Road, according to police.

Heavener was shot by an occupant of the pictured vehicle as he was standing on the sidewalk when the vehicles fled the scene around 7 a.m., police say. He sustained life-threatening injuries.

“This was a close call, but we are extremely pleased to report that Officer Heavener is expected to recover from his injuries,” said Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang.

Puyallup police officers and medics arrived, treated and transported him to a regional hospital in Tacoma where he went under surgery, Hwang said.

Officer Heavener joined the Federal Way agency as a lateral officer in August 1996 and has a total of 27 years in law enforcement, Hwang said.

He is currently assigned to the administration division, responsible for conducting background investigations of all of new hires, to include commissioned officers and civilian staff. Heavener is also the state director for the Washington Law Enforcement Torch Run and oversees more than 2,000 officers who participate in the event, bringing public awareness and raising nearly half a million dollars a year for this worthy cause, Hwang said.

“Officer Heavener is a valued member of our agency and is truly making a positive difference in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities,” Hwang said.

“This event is a stark reminder that even when not at work, the men and women that serve our communities are never really ‘off-duty,’” Federal Way Police posted on their Facebook page.

Anyone with information about the incident or suspect vehicle is encouraged to call the Puyallup Police tip line at 253.770.3343 or email tips@puyallupwa.gov.

Police are also asking for residents who live within the area to check their home video equipment to see if any footage captured a picture of the pictured suspect vehicle or the other suspect vehicle, which police believe is a black pickup truck.

If you find video on your surveillance system, call or email the Puyallup Police tip line.