The Pierce County prosecutor charged a Puyallup man with second-degree murder Tuesday in the stabbing death of Sgt. 1st class Shawn A. Woods, who intervened in a domestic violence assault Sunday.

Woods, 38, was a member of Troop A, 8th Squadron, 1st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis McChord.

Prosecutor Mark Lindquist also charged 29-year-old Chase Devyver with attempted murder and robbery in the assault Sunday on his girlfriend.

According to a release from Lindquist's office, the incident began early Sunday, as the defendant and his girlfriend were sitting in a parked car in front of their residence in South Hill, arguing about their relationship. When the victim exited the vehicle and walked toward the house, the defendant followed and stabbed her from behind. The victim's screams woke up a Woods sleeping in another room. He intervened and the defendant fatally stabbed him. The defendant then retrieved a gun from another room and demanded the female victim's debit/credit card. He hit her in the head with the gun, took her keys, and stole her car.

Pierce County Sheriff's deputies later spotted the stolen car on 176th Street East, and Devyver led police on a pursuit that reached speeds in excess of 90 mph toward Canyon Road. The defendant lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a power pole. After he climbed out of the vehicle, he told deputies to shoot him. He was stunned with a Taser and arrested.

"(Sgt. 1st class) Shawn Woods was a model (non-commissioned officer), leader, husband, father and friend to all of the (Troop A) Family. Woods left a lasting impression on anyone he met, and he was a caring NCO whose Soldiers always looked up to him for advice and leadership," said 1st Lt. Charles Rugg, the executive officer of Troop A, 8-1 Cav in a release from officials at JBLM. "Woods always lived the Army values and placed the needs of others above his own; he will be truly missed."

The official JBLM release lists Woods' awards and decorations to include the Meritorious Service Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, six Army Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

His deployment experience includes one tour to Afghanistan and one tour to Iraq.

Woods was slated to retire from the military later this year after serving 20 years on active duty.