18-03-2025
Legendary Jimi Hendrix, ecology workers awarded with Washington's most prestigious medals
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The legendary Jimi Hendrix, along with a group of employees serving Washington's ecology department, has been granted one of the state's most prestigious awards for civilians.
The Seattle-born musician was posthumously awarded with the medal of merit during a ceremony in Olympia on Tuesday morning. The medal honors individuals who have dedicated a 'lifetime of service' to Washingtonians through areas like the arts and advocacy.
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Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, who nominated the late guitarist for the award, said he lived more in his 27 years than most people could aspire to.
In 1961, Hendrix opted to join the U.S. Army instead of serving jail time after being charged with driving a stolen vehicle. Santos stated that his time in the military actually kick-started his career in the arts.
'It was his passion for music that helped him through his military experience, and he was eventually honorably discharged when his platoon sergeant noted that Jimmy really had no interest whatsoever in the army,' Santos said. 'The nearest place for him to move was Tennessee, where he then began exploring music full-time, and the rest, as they say, is history.'
The representative noted that Hendrix was a self-taught artist. She dubbed him as one of the most influential figures from the 20th century, and from Washington's 37th legislative district.
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Also at the ceremony, four employees with the Washington State Department of Ecology — as Alex Hernandez, Lisa Stingley, David Thompson and Jon Tollstrup, were presented with the medal of valor.
This medal recognizes non-first-responders who risk their lives or personal safety in an attempt to save someone else's life. According to Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, the latest awardees responded to a critical incident in early October of last year.
Heck said the four-person ecology crew pulled a woman from her burning vehicle, after she suffered from a stroke and lost control of the wheel near Cle Ellum. Although the woman later died due to complications from her injuries, officials said the ecology workers helped her family say goodbye to her.
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'I just have to observe that we're living through some fairly tumultuous times and a bit of chaos in the world,' Heck said. 'It's the actions of people like that, frankly, that I think give us a lot of hope by demonstrating the courage that they did.'
The new awardees will join the ranks of previous recipients including Tacoma class artist Dale Chihuly, biologist and Noel Prize winner Linda Buck and former Washington Rep. Henry 'Scoop' Jackson.
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