Detective Mike Stone named 2015 Detective of the Year

Congratulations to Detective Mike Stone who is the recipient of this year’s Officer of the Year Award. Mike, a veteran detective, is one of few members of the Department who is a two time winner. Detective Stone last won this award in 1995 when he was assigned as our DARE Officer.

April 2, 2015 4:36 pm
Bothell Detective Mike Stone (right) has been named the 2015 Bothell PD Detective of the Year for his efforts during the Susann Smith investigation and trial.
Bothell Detective Mike Stone (right) has been named the 2015 Bothell PD Detective of the Year for his efforts during the Susann Smith investigation and trial.

The following is a press release from the Bothell Police Department.

Congratulations to Detective Mike Stone who is the recipient of this year’s Officer of the Year Award.  Stone, a veteran detective, is one of few members of the Department who is a two time winner; the last won this award in 1995 when he was assigned as our DARE Officer.

Det. Stone is an “Anchor Detective” for the Investigations Division. He was chosen for the 2015 award because, through the years, he has consistently demonstrated a high level of skill and expertise in investigating and solving very complex criminal investigations.

As an anchor detective, Stone remains within the Division to help train and mentor other detectives. An anchor detective is part of the Division’s leadership team, helping the Commander and Detective Sergeants develop philosophies, update investigative techniques and provide leadership to the Division members. Throughout 2014, Stone demonstrated the highest qualities of an anchor detective through his high work ethic, and his positive attitude have been infectious throughout the Division.

Stone put in a tremendous amount of work towards the solving of a tragic homicide of Susann Smith that occurred in Bothell. Though the crime occurred in 2013, the investigation has continued throughout 2014, and went to trial in January 2015.

This homicide investigation began when patrol officers responded to a house on a welfare check and discovered an adult female who had been brutally murdered. Detective Stone was assigned as the lead investigator.

Over the course of this investigation, Detective Stone led the investigative team. He interacted with other local, state, federal and international agencies while pursuing every reasonable lead.

He interacted and helped support grieving friends and family members who were seeking justice for their loved one. The victim was a mother with two young children, and Detective Stone worked with the family and Child Protective Services to help ensure the children’s short term and long term safety and stability.

During this investigation, Detective Stone worked numerous hours outside of his normal schedule, sometimes working around the clock, when necessary, due to time sensitive leads. He and his team’s investigative work resulted in the arrest of the victim’s estranged husband, who was booked on murder in the first degree charges and found guilty on Feb. 4.

After the identification and suspect booking, the investigation continued with countless hours of challenging investigative work in support of the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s office.

While continuing to work on the homicide investigation, Detective Stone carried a full case load. Throughout 2014, Det. Stone regularly demonstrated the Department’s Core Values of Service, Honesty, Integrity, Excellence, Loyalty and Duty.