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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Suspect in Coeur d’Alene officer’s death faces first-degree murder charge

Jonathan Daniel Renfro will be tried for murder in the shooting death of Coeur d’Alene police Sgt. Greg Moore.

Kootenai County Public Defender John Adams, who is representing Renfro, confirmed that charges have been updated to include first-degree murder. Prosecuting attorney Barry McHugh filed an amended complaint in the case Wednesday but wouldn’t comment on the new charge, and court officials would not release the documents Thursday.

Renfro, 26, was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly shot Moore, stole the officer’s patrol car and led police on a chase through Post Falls. Moore died later that day.

Thursday morning, dozens of police officers and firefighters from throughout Spokane and Kootenai counties escorted the officer’s body from Spokane, where an autopsy was performed Wednesday, back to Coeur d’Alene.

Along the way hundreds of people stood with flags and solemn faces as the long procession of motorcycles and police vehicles passed with emergency lights flashing. Fire crews parked their trucks and raised the ladders in salute to Moore, 43, who served 16 years with the Coeur d’Alene police.

The procession ended at English Funeral Chapel in Midtown, where officers gathered in small groups to talk, and some went inside to pay their respects to Moore.

Outside, Coeur d’Alene police Officer David Kelley, who knew Moore for the past eight years, said words can’t describe how touching it is to see the public reaction to the tragedy.

“You know the sacrifices that we make, but when you see the support from the community, it makes it all worth it, it really does,” Kelley said.

“Sometimes it feels like the most hated profession you can have, and then the outpouring is amazing,” added his wife, Dianne.

“I think our 15-year-old son summed it up the best,” she added. “He said you always know it in your head, but right now we feel it in our heart.”

Robert and Lisa Malcolm, of Rathdrum, brought their two young children, Ealom and Josephine, to wait for the procession to arrive at the funeral home. The kids held flags, and Robert held a sign that said “God bless and thank you Sgt. Moore and local law enforcement.”

“When we have a loss in the community like this, everybody needs to pull together to show support for the family – especially for our law enforcement, firefighters and public servants,” he said.

“Plus it’s important to teach our kids the respect of a life, and especially those who give theirs so freely to keep us safe,” added his wife, Lisa.

Carol Bennett, from Post Falls, also was there to pay her respect.

“We believe in our Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene police forces,” Bennett said. “I’m really proud of our community to do what they can.”

The escort included members of city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies from throughout the area, as well as several fire departments.

“I’ve never seen anything like that in my life,” said an emotional Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief Kenny Gabriel at the end of the trip. “People everywhere – what a wonderful show of respect, of support for a great guy.”

Cmdr. Lee Waddell with the U.S. Federal Protective Service in Spokane joined the escort “to show support for a fallen brother.”

He said he was moved by the public reception along the way. “People stopping along the side of the road, lots of signs, fire departments all along the way had their ladders up,” Waddell said.

Renfro appeared in court Thursday via closed-circuit TV. He waived his right to a speedy hearing, and 1st District Magistrate Judge James Stow agreed to give the attorneys another 30 days to prepare for his preliminary hearing, which had been scheduled for May 15.

Renfro initially was charged with attempted murder and four other felonies related to the shooting. He is being held on $2 million bail.

Adams has asked the court to lower that amount “on the grounds that it is excessive,” according to a motion that has yet to be heard by a judge. He also has asked the court for a gag order, barring attorneys, investigators, police and other parties in the case from discussing it with the news media. A judge has yet to rule on that motion as well.

Officials are not releasing additional details of the multiagency investigation into the shooting, at the request of McHugh, to protect the integrity of the investigation and prosecution.

Anyone convicted of murdering a police officer in Idaho is eligible for the death penalty. McHugh has yet to say if he intends to seek the death penalty in the case.