The family of Chelsea Fresh, who was fatally shot by Beaverton police officers last fall, is now questioning how police handled the confrontation with the suicidal woman and asking why they needed to use deadly force.

The family also is upset by the Beaverton Police Department's decision to honor the officers involved in the shooting.

Officers Dan Coulson and James Beane fired a combined eight rounds from their AR-15 rifles, striking Fresh four times, after she pointed a rifle at police in November, according to authorities.

The Washington County District Attorney's Office reviewed the shooting and determined the officers' actions were justified, saying Fresh was advancing on police with the rifle in a residential neighborhood close to Southridge High School. Officers didn't know the rifle was unloaded.

Coulson and Beane received the agency's Medal of Valor during the police department's annual awards ceremony, honored for responding according to their training to protect themselves and the community.

In a statement this week, Fresh's family members said they understand the ruling, but they wished the officers had tried harder to peacefully resolve the situation.

"We were not disappointed in regards to the decision by the district attorney not to proceed in a grand jury trial as we knew that would happen but we take it as a slap in the face or an act of pouring salt in the wound so to speak, to give those involved with the death of our beloved Chelsea honors of valor," their statement said.

Fresh's boyfriend had called 911 on Nov. 20 to say Fresh was drunk, suicidal and trying to get a knife. He told police there were two rifles in the home, but no ammunition. Fresh later told police she had ammo for the weapons and came out of her house several times with the rifle, finally pointing it at the officers, police said.

"As civil servants, it is a tragedy that those officers involved Beane and Coulson did not have the unlethal means or training to de-escalate the situation," the family statement said. "And yes we can comprehend that it was a tense and life threatening situation but that is when the protect and serve training should kick in and the highest ranking officer on scene must relate back to his officers to show restraint, just like they have promised to when they signed up."

Officer Mike Rowe, a Beaverton police spokesman, said Thursday that the Medal of Valor is given to officers who act heroically when faced with a threat.

"This recognition does not diminish the tragedy of the situation - it recognizes the complex and dynamic nature of the circumstances and the valorous manner in which the involved personnel performed their duty," he wrote in a response.

Rowe said officers tried to defuse the situation. In 18 phone calls, spanning 27 minutes, a crisis negotiator spoke to Fresh.

"All available measures were taken to de-escalate the situation," he said. "Ms. Fresh exited the residence several times with a rifle and was not engaged because she was not an immediate threat to the community or the officers at that time."

The prosecutor who reviewed the case noted that Coulson was wearing a personal camera on his uniform at the time of the shooting, but that he had inadvertently left it off. The camera would not have captured useful footage anyway, the prosecutor said, because Coulson was lying on his stomach while on the call and the camera was on his chest.

Fresh's family questioned whether any other officers had recorded the encounter. Beaverton police said no other officers wore cameras.

The full statement released by a family representative:

"We were not disappointed in regards to the decision by the district attorney not to proceed in a grand jury trial as we knew that would happen but we take it as a slap in the face or an act of pouring salt in the wound so to speak, to give those involved with the death of our beloved Chelsea honors of valor.

"As civil servants, it is a tragedy that those officers involved Beane and Coulson did not have the unlethal means or training to deescalate the situation. And yes we can comprehend that it was a tense and life threatening situation but that is when the protect and serve training should kick in and the highest ranking officer on scene must relate back to his officers to show restraint, just like they have promised to when they signed up.

"We know if any of the officers had proper weapons training they would have observed that Chelsea was holding 2 antique 22. caliber rifles but yet they rattled off at least 8 rounds which was more than enough to rip through and devastate the 5'2" tall woman.

"Now we also know there were no lights on her or the house which is unusual in our minds. 50 minutes in to any situation it is not that hectic and for a trained mind you would have plenty of time to put your spotlights on the house and they didn't. Also for those that say the whole community was on lock down because of her just ask the force where those other incredibly high powered and reckless rounds landed in the community that they were trying to protect. As of 4/22/15 we have not heard where those other rounds went but we know they traveled outside of the house.

"In closing our concerns are with the other officers that had body optical and sound recorders of that night to come forward and ultimately we want to help other families with little means but similar situations to not be treated as second class citizens no matter what the color of skin or financial holdings. All life is precious and ultimately placing the blame on anyone will not bring back the piece of our family.

"We hold no ill will but we hope that all those who have responded or commented on this thread take the time to step back and tell those closest that all is forgiven."

-- Rebecca Woolington

503-294-4049; @rwoolington