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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

EndNotes

Trooper killed


In this photo provided by the Washington State Patrol, Gov. Christine Gregoire talks Tuesday in Olympia about appointing John Batiste, right, chief of the Washington State Patrol. Batiste is currently deputy chief of the Port of Seattle police.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
In this photo provided by the Washington State Patrol, Gov. Christine Gregoire talks Tuesday in Olympia about appointing John Batiste, right, chief of the Washington State Patrol. Batiste is currently deputy chief of the Port of Seattle police. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Another law enforcement person has been killed in the line of duty. Early this morning a Washington State Patrol trooper was performing a routine traffic stop. The trooper called in the stop and when the dispatcher did not receive a status check from the trooper, a Kitsap County sheriff‘s deputy went to the scene. He found the injured trooper next to his car. The trooper later died at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma. He is the 27th trooper to be killed in the line of duty in Washington State Patrol history.

Trooper Tony Radulescu was a man of courage, of commitment.

This tragedy happened within one day, in the same community, of a little girl shot at school when a gun discharged in a little boy’s backpack. These children are in third grade. Where do third graders get guns?

The questions always come at these moments: When will the violence stop? What feeds our society’s perception that guns and using them is acceptable?  In one community, in one day, a trooper is murdered and a little girl clings to life.

When will the violence stop?

(S-R archives photo:  Governor Chris Gregoire with WSP Chief John Batiste)



Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.