One of Kirkland’s Own is a Finalist for Hometown Hero Award
Published on May 17, 2024
Media Contact:
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 587-3021
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Renee Cox, Crisis Responder Supervisor with the Regional Crisis Response (RCR) Agency, has been selected as one of five finalists for KING 5's Hometown Heroes award.
“Over the past two decades, Renee has been one of the pioneers in creating a new crisis responder career path for civilian mental health responders to help police and fire departments assist those in high-risk behavioral health crisis,” said Kirkland Mayor Kelli Curtis. “I know I speak for the other RCR cities in underscoring Renee’s incredibly positive impact in Kirkland, our region, and across Washington. Renee is truly a hometown hero.”
For the past ten years, Cox has taught crisis de-escalation techniques to new recruits at the Washington Basic Law Enforcement Academy. During that time, she has taught over 5,000 police recruits in Washington State and provided additional crisis intervention training to over 6,000 commissioned police officers.
Cox has served Kirkland and the north King County cities of Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline as a crisis responder since 2017. She next served as the first ever Kirkland crisis responder before providing her expertise and guidance to help establish the permanent north-end Regional Crisis Responder Agency, a joint effort of those same cities. Cox was selected as the first field Supervisor overseeing the work of all other responders at RCR, while also responding to crisis calls herself. Cox is also a member of the City of Kirkland's Homelessness Assistance and Response Team.
“Renee has touched tens of thousands of lives through her calling as a teacher, a trainer, and a crisis responder,” said Brook Buettner, Executive Director of the Regional Crisis Response Agency. “She provides counseling to first responders struggling with the impacts of their difficult jobs and is among the most professional, kind, and caring people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. Although she’s already a hero in my book, I’m glad that she’s a finalist for this beloved community award.”
To review all of the finalists and to vote, visit the KING 5 Hometown Hero Awards voting page.
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