TACOMA, Wash. — A husband and wife who intervened to stop a violent stabbing attack at Point Defiance Park received one of the Tacoma Police Department's highest honors Thursday.

John and Julianna Vanenk were awarded the Medal of Courage for their actions on Feb. 10, 2024, when they confronted a man who was stabbing Victoria Nizzoli and stopped the attack.

"These people just came running up, tried to negotiate him... Julianna came running up and kicked him in the head to get him off of me," Nizzoli said. "They held my head together, they applied pressure on my wounds, they kept reassuring me that I was going to make it because I was so sure I was gonna die."

Julianna Vanenk, a black belt in martial arts and health care worker, said she didn't hesitate.

"If I was that person screaming i

See Full Page