The officer, who had been on the force less than a year, responded to an aid call for a medical emergency at a house Tuesday afternoon, then used his radio to request assistance, Everett police Officer Boyd Bryant said.

"Moutlake Terrace officers arrived, they found the officer unconscious, not breathing," said Bryant. "They initiated CPR immediately."

The officer was taken to Stevens Memorial Hospital in Edmonds where he was pronounced dead. The reason for the death was not readily apparent and remained under investigation, Bryant said.

Brier Police Chief Donald Lane identified the officer as Eddie Thomas. Thomas joined the Brier Police Department as a provisional officer in January 2006 and began working full-time in April, Lane said.

Prior to that he worked for the Sauk Suiattle Police Department. He is a graduate of Mountlake Terrace High School and member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

"He was a great officer for the police department," said Lane, holding back tears. "He's just a full, vibrant, ball of fire."

A man with whom the officer had been struggling was arrested by Mountlake Terrace police at the scene without further struggle. Bryant said the man had been combative earlier because of a medical condition.

According to police documents, the man with whom the officer was struggling is former Brier City Mayor Gary Starks. He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of third-degree assault in connection with the officer's death.

The documents state that when Officer Thomas radioed for help, yelling and grunting could be heard in the background, and that Thomas indicated that Starks had a gun.

When other officers arrived, they found Starks and Thomas on a bed. Starks was in handcuffs and a holstered gun was lying on the floor, the documents said. Police said there were obvious signs of a struggle in the room.

It was not known how Thomas died.

When he was taken to a police station for questioning, Starks made no statements to detectives and asked to talk to his attorney.

"Mr. Starks has been a strong member of the community for 23 years, he is not a flight risk," his attorney told a Snohomish County judge Wednesday afternoon. The judge decided to release Starks so he can get medical attention while awaiting his next court date.

Chief Lane recalled the last two days he spent with Thomas and said the officer never lost his passion for the job: "When I came to work I would have 10 to 15 e-mails from Eddie of all the things he wants to do and all the things he can do for the Brier Police Department," he said.

Lane described the seven-person police force as a "tight-knit" family and said fellow officers were given the day off to mourn the loss of Eddie. Surrounding law enforcement agencies including Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood, and Edmonds were taking over patrols.

Funds Established

Two memorial funds have been set up in honor of Brier Police Officer Edwanton Thomas:

The Edwanton Thomas Memorial Fund has been set up at Sterling Savings Bank to help the family with expenses.

The LPOA (Lynnwood Police Officers Association) Officer Thomas Memorial Fund has been set up Evergreen Bank for funeral expenses.

Donations can be at any branch of the two banks.