Emerald Princess Online: Nov 30, 2009

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Mass murder of Lakewood police

First hearing the news yesterday (Sunday) morning, that four Lakewood, Washington police officers had been killed, I thought I must have mis-heard what was being reported. It couldn't be correct. If it was true, it must have been some horrific accident, perhaps a crash in a high-speed pursuit. But no. It wasn't a crash. It wasn't a pursuit. It was just four cops at a Forza coffee shop going over reports and planning the strategy for their day apparently having no inkling that they had all already lived their last day on Earth. Years ago when I took the training in the Tacoma Police Department's Citizens' Academy, we learned with a video simulator that from the time a life-and-death threat is perceived, there is on average only 1.5 seconds to respond definitively. In the execution and slaughter that occurred at Forza, the officers did not even have that precious window of time.

So help me God, don't anyone tell me "it was their time."

As we watched the continuing coverage from the crime scene and the manhunt for the killer it amazed and impressed me that Det. Ed Troyer, serving as public information officer, was able to keep his own emotions in check and handle all of the nagging reporters' often inane questions with equanimity, somehow keeping his cool, and remaining the ultimate professional in the most trying of circumstances.

The procession with the four bodies in the vehicles from the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office stretched for miles with police cars from every agency throughout the region; no sirens, just lights flashing, miles of lights flashing in honor of the murdered officers. That procession was infinitely longer than any I have ever seen in my life. It was as solemn as one for a president and easily stretched for miles and miles longer than any I've ever seen for a president. People lined the route in silence and solemnity sharing in the loss that this entire community is feeling now and that will surely leave a scar that may never heal.

The individual who murdered the four police officers surely had no long-range plan, but assuming he acted out of rage and resentment for his own periods of incarceration when he had an opportunity to strike back, what he inadvertently did will likely result in more people being killed. Police everywhere will be on high alert now that this has happened, lest it happen to them. They will be less inclined to 'wait and see' and if a threat is perceived who could blame them for acting on it and firing first to protect themselves.

Others often use the term "fallen" officers. To me, they were not "fallen"...they were murdered.

Each one of those officers was known to me, someone I had met and interacted with in a variety of settings. They were all good people. The Lakewood Police Department as a whole is exemplary. Just a week ago a survey was circulated seeking the public's input about how the Lakewood Police Department is doing its job. I was just one respondent to the survey and I offered praise for how professionally they handled two call-outs just about this time last year involving a family member. Thanks to their skill, even-handedness, and professionalism each of those situations was resolved peacefully with no one hurt. After I submitted my response to the survey, one of the police officers, Officer Adam Leonard, even took time and made a special effort to call and thank me for thanking them.

There is a veil of grief and sorrow that is shrouding all of Tacoma and Pierce County today; everyone here has been touched and affected in one way or another by what took place early yesterday morning at Forza. Lives and families changed forever. Nine children now with a dad or a mom. The effect will ripple through society endlessly. Nothing but sorrow.