I would like to pay tribute to five Washington State police officers, who were ambushed and killed on October 31st, 2009 and November 29th, 2009. Police officers everywhere risk their lives every day, and unfortunately sometimes they lose their lives in the line of duty. Although it is always sad when we lose one of these brave people, it is even more devastating when they are attacked with no provocation or warning by heartless individuals who think they are getting their revenge by destroying those that they feel have destroyed their lives. They don’t seem to realize or care that they destroy so many other lives as well. These officers had spouses and children, parents and siblings, who all miss their loved ones terribly. It is heartbreaking and also a bit frightening to know those that we feel are there to protect us can also be so vulnerable.

Officer Timothy Q. Brenton

Seattle Police Department
Washington
End of Watch: Saturday, October 31, 2009

Biographical Info
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 6699

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, October 31, 2009
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Suspect in custody

Officer Timothy Brenton was shot and killed while sitting in his patrol car.

The officer was sitting in the passenger seat of a patrol car with a trainee discussing a just completed traffic stop near the corner of 29th Avenue and East Yesler Way when a vehicle pulled alongside the patrol car and an occupant opened fire. Officer Brenton was killed instantly. His trainee officer was grazed in the back by one shot. She was able to get out of the patrol car, return fire several times at the fleeing vehicle, and call for additional units.

At the conclusion of Ofc. Brenton's public memorial service, detectives were following up on a tip, specifically of a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle seen at the incident, at an apartment in the city of Tukwila. The detectives confronted a person of interest as he stepped outside from his apartment and approached the vehicle. The man pulled a gun and was shot and wounded before being taken into custody.

Officer Brenton had served with the Seattle Police Department for nine years and previously with the La Conner Police Department. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. His father and uncle are retired Seattle police officers.

Officer Tina Griswold

Lakewood Police Department
Washington
End of Watch: Sunday, November 29, 2009

Biographical Info
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 14 years

Badge Number: 101

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Officer Tina Griswold, Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Greg Richards, and Officer Ronald Owens were shot and killed in an ambush style attack while sitting inside a coffee shop in Lakewood.

All four officers had parked their marked patrol cars in front of a coffee shop and were inside, in uniform, preparing for their shift. They were sitting at a table with their laptop computers open, completing job related paperwork. The suspect entered the coffee shop and stood in line. When he reached the counter he drew a handgun from his coat, turned toward the officers and opened fire. Two of the officers were shot before they had time to react. A third officer stood up, but was shot before he could draw his weapon. The fourth officer struggled with the suspect, wrestling him out the front door of the shop, before being shot. The fourth officer was able to return fire before he died, wounding the suspect as he fled.

A massive two day manhunt ensued, in an attempt to capture the suspect. He was shot and killed by a Seattle Police Officer, after the Seattle Officer observed the suspect near a stolen car. The officer attempted to take the suspect into custody, but the suspect refused to follow commands and attempted to flee, prompting the Officer to shoot and kill the suspect.

Officer Griswold had served with the Lakewood Police Department for five years and had a total of fourteen years of law enforcement experience. She is survived by her husband and two children.

Sergeant Mark Renninger

Lakewood Police Department
Washington
End of Watch: Sunday, November 29, 2009

Biographical Info
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 13 years
Badge Number: 23

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Tina Griswold, Officer Greg Richards, and Officer Ronald Owens were shot and killed in an ambush style attack while sitting in a coffee shop in Lakewood.

See Tina Griswold incident above.

Sergeant Renninger had 13 years of law enforcement experience, five with the Lakewood Police Department and eight with the Tukwila Police Department. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Officer Ronald Owens

Lakewood Police Department
Washington
End of Watch: Sunday, November 29, 2009

Biographical Info
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 121

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Officer Ronald Owens, Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Tina Griswold, and Officer Greg Richards were shot and killed in an ambush style attack while sitting inside a coffee shop in Lakewood.

See Tina Griswold incident above.

Officer Owens had served with the Lakewood Police Department for five years and had a total of twelve years of law enforcement experience. He is survived by his daughter.

Officer Greg Richards

Lakewood Police Department
Washington
End of Watch: Sunday, November 29, 2009

Biographical Info
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: 135

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Officer Greg Richards, Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Tina Griswold, and Officer Ronald Owens were shot and killed in an ambush style attack while sitting inside a coffee shop in Lakewood.

See Tina Griswold incident above.

Officer Richards had served with the Lakewood police Department for five years and had total of eight years of law enforcement experience. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Source: www.odmp.org