Gregoire: Slain trooper died protecting people

KENT, Wash. — Gov. Chris Gregoire says Washington State Patrol Trooper Tony Radulescu died protecting others. Speaking at a memorial service today in Kent, Gregoire said she considered Radulescu “one of my own,” noting that he had served on one of her security details. Before Gregoire spoke a procession of about 700 law enforcement and emergency vehicles with lights flashing escorted the hearse carrying Radulescu’s body. Other drivers pulled over and people watched respectfully from overpasses and roadsides as the procession made its way from Silverdale, through Port Orchard, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. It joined a family procession from a Lakewood funeral home on the way to the 1 p.m. service at the ShoWare Center. The procession passed under an American flag hanging from an arch made by fire truck ladders. Radulescu, a 16-year veteran, was shot Feb. 23 near Gorst by a driver who later took his own life. Six people have been charged with rendering criminal assistance.