Officer Albert Khandzhayan has been honored with the Seattle Police Foundation's Medal of Courage for what colleagues describe as a high‑stakes rescue of three children during a domestic‑violence carjacking in West Seattle last spring.
The foundation presented the medal on April 15, 2026, recognizing Khandzhayan's work in May 2025, when he tracked a stolen vehicle, chased down a suspect on foot and coordinated incoming units until the children were safely reunited with their mother. The award highlights quick decision‑making and bravery in a fast‑moving emergency, according to the Seattle Police Foundation.
In a recap reel posted April 15, 2026, the Seattle Police Department shows Khandzhayan sprinting after the suspect across a four‑lane highway for more than three minutes while radioing directions to other officers. That chase ended with the suspect in custody and the children recovered from the stolen car.
How Officers Tracked the Stolen Vehicle
According to the Seattle Police Department blotter, officers were called on May 3, 2025, after a woman reported that her ex‑boyfriend had smashed a car window, pulled her out of the vehicle and driven off with her three young children still inside.
A short time later, a uniformed officer working a community outreach event spotted the still‑running car at a gas station, the blotter states. When the suspect tried to flee on foot, a chase followed and officers moved in, arresting the man while other units found the children safe inside the vehicle.
What the Medal Recognizes
The Medal of Courage is one of the department’s top honors for employees who show exceptional courage and bravery while on duty, according to the Seattle Police Foundation. At the awards event, the foundation said Khandzhayan's actions during the West Seattle incident met that standard.
Legal Status and Local Reaction
The suspect was booked into King County Jail following the arrest, according to the Seattle Police Department blotter. Community reporting later noted that bail on the docket was set at $125,000, and neighbors and local readers publicly praised officers for getting the children back so quickly, as covered by the West Seattle Blog.
Advocates also used the case as a reminder that domestic‑violence incidents can escalate with little warning and urged continued support and resources for survivors.
Officer Background and Community Ties
City listings and community pages indicate Khandzhayan has served with the Seattle Police Department since around 2019 and has taken part in community outreach efforts. Those include programs connected to the Filipino Advisory Council, which partners with SPD on community‑policing work, according to the Mayor's Office.
