By Christi Baron, For the Forum

When 8-year-old Tristan Wilcox Morseburg went to play near the skate park at Tillicum Park last week little did he know that just by being observant he was about to become a hero.

While playing in the park last Tuesday, Tristan and several other boys spoke with a man that was hanging out near them.

Unknown to the group at play was that they were in the presence of a wanted sex offender who the local police had been looking for all week after he cut off his ankle bracelet monitor and was living somewhere in the woods nearby.  

Later in the evening, Tristan told his mother, Kendra Wilcox, about the incident. She decided to call the police.  

Forks Police Department Officer Michael Gentry took a statement from Tristan which included a detailed description of the suspect’s clothing and the fact that he had a hatchet on his belt.

About 15 minutes later, Gentry spotted the fugitive outside a Forks convenience store and he was able to apprehend the suspect.  

Gentry said, “If it had not been for Tristan’s photographic memory and attention to detail, I could not have made the arrest.”

For his efforts Tristan was awarded a Certificate of Merit signed by Mayor Bryon Monohon and Police Administrator Rick Bart.  

“Who knows what would have happened had this guy ‘befriended’ one of those boys,” Bart said. “Tristan did the right thing and protected others.”

When asked how he feels about his award Tristan said “I love it.”