Washington State Patrol Trooper Dies While Recreating in Kittitas County

A 51-year-old veteran of the Washington State Patrol died Monday.

The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office says Steve Houle was out with another person near Knox Creek Trailhead when they were overtaken by an avalanche.

The second individual was able to get free and go for help, but it was too late.

Houle, from Cle Elum, had been with the State Patrol for 28 years.

Kittitas Sheriff Clay Meyers released a statement saying, "This is a tragic accident and will be felt hard in our close-knit law enforcement community."