A Port Angeles company has been penalized nearly $52,000 by state regulators for infractions connected to the death of a logger who was struck in the head by a falling tree.
Brian Borde Contracting Inc. of Port Angeles received three citations from the Department of Labor and Industries. A corporation can appeal until April 6.
According to The Peninsula Daily News, Borde did not respond to requests for comment made last week.
On September 25, Jeremy Paapke, a 23-year-old man from Port Angeles, was struck in the head by a falling tree while he was working at a construction site in Quilcene.
Who is Jeremy Paapke?
He was born on July 28, 1990, to Jim and Jackie Paapke in Anchorage, Alaska. Ashley, his 3-year-old sister, was smitten with her new little brother.
Up until Jeremy turned five years old, the family called Anchorage home. In 1997, they relocated to Port Angeles.
Jeremy was fairly active for the rest of his school career. In primary school, he engaged in roller hockey. He played all the percussion instruments in the middle school band, participated in football for the Future Riders, and was a band member.
After Jeremy graduated from high school, he began competing in motocross races all throughout Washington.
Jeremy consistently earned high grades and maintained a GPA of 3.8 to 4.0. He was naturally good in school.
What happened to Jeremy Paapke?
On September 25, 2014, at 1:39 p.m., Jeremy James Paapke was sadly killed in a logging accident. He was 24 years old. Paapke was cutting down trees on a sloping hillside with a crew, according to Quilcene Deputy Fire Chief Bob Moser, when a nearby tree collapsed and struck him with a heavy branch.
Workers from Quilcene, Port Ludlow, and East Jefferson Fire-Rescue performed CPR on Paapke for around 45 minutes before he was declared dead at 1:39 p.m. Paapke was hauled up the hill by coworkers.
According to Moser, Paapke appears to have passed away soon after being hit in the head. The logger was subsequently airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle by an Airlift Northwest chopper waiting at Zelatched Point.
Moser didn’t know who Paapke’s employer was. According to Elaine Fischer, a spokesperson for the department, a state Department of Labor and Industries inspector was reportedly inspecting the job site on Friday.
According to Fischer, Paapke was the third logger from Washington State to pass away on the job site last week.
Jeremy’s career life
Jeremy and his father returned to Alaska in 2007 before Jeremy graduated from Service High School in 2008.
Jeremy always put in a lot of effort and had a strong work ethic. His first position was at Sequim’s Red Carpet Car Wash. He was employed by Toga’s Soup House as well.
After moving back to Alaska, Jeremy worked at Painter Services for a close family friend. He started working at the Green Creek mill after returning to Port Angeles.
There, Jeremy decided to give logging a go. After receiving a chance from a friend, he began working for Oakes Logging.
Jeremy then joined the Rygaard team and appeared in “Ax Men’s” sixth season. He also briefly worked at Bekkevar Logging before becoming a cutter there. Even though he knew that becoming a cutter was risky, he was quite eager to start.
Jeremy’s Interests and Personal Life
In addition to working, he enjoyed going to concerts, riding dirt bikes, wakeboarding, skiing, and spending time with his family and friends.
Being the life of the party and the focus of attention was nothing to Jeremy. His voice was audible across the entire room.
His jokes made you laugh till your cheeks hurt because he had the best sense of humor. His infectious smile, which could illuminate even the darkest space, will always be missed.
His parents, Jim Paapke and Jackie Paradis. His step-parents, Jimmy Paradis and Kelly O’Leary-Paapke, and his older sister, Ashley Paapke. His stepbrother, Joseph Foreman.
His grandparents, Jack and Judy Mann and Jody Grange, his godparent Ron Paapke, his nieces Natalyn and Jadyn, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, survive Jeremy. Grandmother Diane Grange and grandfather James Paapke Sr. died before Jeremy.
A memorial service honoring his life will take place on Saturday, October 4, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Eagles Aerie in Port Angeles, located at 2843 East Myrtle Street.
