December 8, 2009 in City

going to honor their own

Area law enforcement, fire officials head to Tacoma for services for four slain Lakewood police officers

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Kathy Plonka photo

Patrol Deputy Gavin Brodwater, of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department, prepares to depart from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department on Monday as part of a North Idaho law enforcement caravan to Western Washington for the funeral of four slain Lakewood, Wash., officers.
(Full-size photo)

Dozens of law enforcement and fire officials from across the Inland Northwest are expected to attend today’s memorial for four slain Lakewood, Wash., police officers.

The Spokane Police Honor Guard traveled with officers from the Cheney Police Department to Western Washington on Monday.

The Coeur d’Alene Police Honor Guard was joined by representatives of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department, the Post Falls Police Department and the Idaho State Police in a procession Monday as they traveled to the service, which will be held in the Tacoma Dome. Most law enforcement agencies in Eastern Washington are sending representatives to the service.

At least two dozen Spokane police employees will attend, said Officer Tim Moses.

“I know a lot of people took off on their own time to go over there,” Moses said.

One of the slain officers, Tina Griswold, was the sister of Tiffiny Ryan, who works in the Spokane police records division.

The memorial is expected to draw an estimated 20,000 officers from police delegations as far away as New York.

The four officers were gunned down in a coffee shop before the start of their shift.

Besides Griswold, 40, Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39, and Officers Ronald Owens, 37, and Greg Richards, 42, were killed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Three comments on this story so far. Add yours!

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  Fuschia on December 08 at 10:34 a.m.

  and whose paying for all of this? The use of the SPD/KC vehicles?

  Seems they should stay at home and donate that time/effort to making our communities better.

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  BT on December 08 at 10:58 a.m.

  I’m glad to hear that our officiers are not only taking their own time off, but that the honor guard is going as well. Its a sad day for all of us whom have friends and family in law enforcement.

  Fushia..our area officiers put their lives on the line every single day..and by that I mean every single time they leave their home for little league, grocery shopping and church functions their lives are at stake. They serve our communities every single day…let them be this day to honor one of their own.

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  trueblue on December 09 at 2:39 p.m.

  Dear Fushia
  These officers’ took their own time off work, vacation days etc, payed for the expense of travel, some officers took time off to cover for the Lakewood PD so their officers could attend and cover their shifts. This loss was felt internationally. There were many ‘civilians’ who took time off work and travelled interstate to attend, taking their children to show support for these officers and ALL officers who put their lives on the line every time they leave their house…there is no peace time for them. Would you be as critical if it was a fire officer or a military person? Please remember your comments on making the community safer next time police ask for your support with budgets or bonds and vote yes. Freedom and safety is not free. They risk their lives to protect ours…If you could do a better job, than by all means…sign up!