A Lynnwood police officer is in serious condition after a violent struggle with a suspect Sunday afternoon.

At about 5:15 p.m., officers were chasing the male suspect with a felony warrant near the Reclinerland store in the 3000 block of 196th Street SW.
28-year-old Officer Ryan Hoirup caught up with him and tried to take him into custody. There was a struggle, and both of them went over an 18-foot embankment and landed in a deep gully with nothing to break their fall.

The suspect sustained only a broken wrist and continued to fight Officer Hoirup in the thick woods. He was quickly captured by other officers.

By this point, Officer Hoirup could not move and fellow officers were unable to get to him.

Firefighters responded to do a high-angle rescue and get him out. He was transported to Harborview with serious injuries.

The suspect, a 29-year-old man from the Lynnwood area, had multiple felony and misdemeanor warrants. He was arrested for those warrants along with investigation of second-degree assault.

Officer Hoirup was hired by the Lynnwood Police Department in 2007. He is married with a new baby.

“This incident caused a very large response by various area law enforcement agencies and fire departments. We thank them all for their service and support,” said Shannon Sessions, police spokesperson.

If any fundraising efforts are launched for Officer Hoirup and his family, we’ll pass them along.