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April 9, 2010 in Region
Families of Lakewood police drop dollar figure from claims
TACOMA — The families of four Lakewood police officers slain as they sat in a coffee shop in November say they’ll revise their claims against Pierce County to delete any reference to a specific dollar demand.
The families faced a backlash from citizens and law enforcement when they revealed they were planning to file claims totaling $182 million against the county, saying it could have done more to prevent the shootings.
Maurice Clemmons, the man who killed the four officers, was in and out of jail in the months before the ambush, and he made several phone calls from jail in which he spoke of killing police.
The families said Friday they’re not trying to profit from the deaths, but merely want to force the county to monitor such phone calls more closely. They say that when they file their claims sometime in the next week, they’ll ask for “just and fair” compensation.
Their lawyer says they’re barred from suing to force a policy change alone.
© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Children permitted at Washington prison powwows 
Another_Perspective on April 09 at 4:59 p.m.
so its not about the money.. right.
misjustice on April 09 at 5:13 p.m.
Yeah, another_wrongperspective, when you eventually need an officer of the law to respond to your well deserved beating, I hope that they have read all of the snarky comments that you have made on the SR blogs; no matter what the content of the article is you make sideways attacks on law officers; totallly uncalled for and unappreciated. And I hope that they get a few well deserved licks in of their own…before taking you to the ER.
Another_Perspective on April 09 at 5:56 p.m.
Nice threat there misjustice.. didnt get your food stamps this week?
misjustice on April 09 at 6:33 p.m.
Actually, I picked them up in my Mercedes-Benz, but thanks for lookin’ out! : )
UA_Big_Dummy on April 09 at 10:13 p.m.
“Someone”? A person with a previous Murder conviction is less than what you give him credit for. Perhaps your respect for the scum bag is a family bond that can’t be broke. Besides, you probably don’t work, pay taxes so that means you have no right ridicule Public Servants. The Jail is open go turn yourself in so you’ll be out in time for Christmas.
lewis8457 on April 09 at 10:27 p.m.
UBD whats wrong is your underwear to tight? good to see your hate in the defense if public servants.
these officers all had insurance policies through work for at least one million dollars. how much money do the families need?
How much has Otto Zehm’s family gotten? Oh I am sorry i forgot since he wasn’t a public servant he does not deserve compensation for being murdered because police are so much more important then the average guy.
these officers were murdered by a criminal thanks to our failing justice system, and Otto was killed by 7 public servants thanks to our double standard failing justice system.
all the money in the world wont bring them back. at least these 4 officers families have seen justice, what has Otto’s family seen?