1 Officer Released, 1 Remains In Critical Condition

One Pierce County sheriff's deputy was released from the hospital Thursday while the other remains Harborview in critical condition.

In a barrage of gunfire, Sergeant Nick Hausner was shot in the neck during a dispute between two brothers Monday in Eatonville.

Deputy Kent Mundell suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

Mundell has been on life support since he was airlifted to the trauma center where he remains in the intensive care unit constantly surrounded by friends and family.

On Wednesday night, Mundell's father arrived from Texas to visit his son. He received a police escort directly to the hospital.

Also at the deputy's bedside was Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor, who said he was not encouraged with Mundell's status.

"He was very, very gravely wounded. I went to his bedside and prayed over him. That's exactly what should be expected as were other people doing as well," said Pastor.

Police from all over the area continued to visit the hospital to help support the family and pay their respects. They are being allowed to see Mundell in groups of three for a short period of time.

Pierce County Detective Ed Troyer said everyone in law enforcement is hopeful but it is not easy to stay positive.

"We're very discouraged his condition is not improving. In fact, it appears to be getting worse so we're saddened by that and trying to get the family around (Mundell). We know everybody is doing all they can but it is not looking good," said Troyer.

A hospital spokesman told KIRO that Mundell's condition was being evaluated hourly and he has not shown any improvement since he arrived.

The spokesman said the deputy's condition has not changed and is not likely to change until after Christmas, if then.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Hausner left Madigan Army Medical Center and was escorted in a police motorcade to Harborview to visit Mundell.

Hausner later returned to his home in Eatonville.

His brother, Steve Hausner, told KIRO 7 News reporter Gary Horcher that a bullet hit brother in his neck just under the chin, missed his arteries and spinal cord by a millimeter, and then exited out the back.

The sergeant's family is calling his survival miraculous and Hausner's brother said the 20-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office wants to return to work as soon as possible.

Steve said the bullet fired by 35-year-old David Crable knocked his brother out and sent him falling to the floor.

According to Steve, the shooter's brother and 16-year-old daughter dragged Hausner into a room while wounded deputy Kent Mundell and Crable exchanged fire.

"Nick knows those people save his life. He says he was unconscious, and if they hadn't dragged him into another room, Nick says the shooter would have executed him," said Hausner's brother.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department is giving lots of support to that teenage girl.

"Obviously, with what's happened, there's going to be some shock and trauma there. We're going to help her, see what we can do for her and help her along because she sure helped us," said Troyer.

Previous Stories: December 23, 2009: Deputy Gunned Down In Eatonville Remains In Grave Condition December 23, 2009: Investigators Reconstruct Shooting Scene; Officers Remain Hospitalized December 22, 2009: Deputies Remain Hospitalized After Shooting