Tacoma, WA: Four Officers Shot and Killed

[PapaBear]

Sunday, November 29, 2009 11:54 a.m.

Report: Officers shot, killed in Washington state ambush

PARKLAND, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state official says multiple police officers have been shot near McChord Air Force Base.

Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer tells KOMO-TV that the officers were hit at the east side of the Air Force base at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

CNN was reporting that four officers were killed in the ambush-like shooting.

No more information was immediately available on the total number of officers shot or the extent of their injuries.


http://www.nwherald.com/articles/200...3137/index.xml

[LadyVol@330]

What is this world coming to? I can't believe it. They were in a coffee shop using their laptops and getting ready for shift. Totally ambushed!

More:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34194122/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

[SB 405]

Breaking News from ABC7 Eyewitness News

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Four police officers have been shot to death during an ambush at a coffee house in Washington state, sheriff's officials said.

Investigators believe the officers were targeted, and the shooting was not a robbery.

[alexfarrington]

Truly horrific... My prayers are with the officers' families and fellow officers.

[Mom]

Just read this. Shhesh. Just wow, cannot believe it. They say it was an ambush.

From the article:

TACOMA, Wash. -A sheriff's official in Washington state says four police officers have been shot dead in ambush at a coffee house.
Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer told The News Tribune in Tacoma that the officers were sitting in the coffee shop Sunday morning with their computers when the shooter came in Sunday morning.
He says investigators believe the officers were targeted, and it was not a robbery.
Troyer tells the newspaper "it was just a flat out ambush."
He could not immediately say what agency the officers were from. Police were searching for a male suspect and interviewing witnesses. The coffee shop is near McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma.
"We hopefully will have answers, but there is nothing more we can tell you," Troyer told KING-TV. "That's as cold-hearted as it is."

[HIPCHIP]

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?pnum=1&bfromind=7406&eeid=6967417&_sitecat=1522&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=2&ck=&ch=ne&rg=blsadstrgt&_lid=332&_lnm=tg+ne+topnews&ck=

[HIPCHIP]

The criminals seem to be trying to take over, like in other countries. We can't let that happen!

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?pnum=1&bfromind=7406&eeid=6967417&_sitecat=1522&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=2&ck=&ch=ne&rg=blsadstrgt&_lid=332&_lnm=tg+ne+topnews&ck=

[AyatollahGondola]

Damn :sad:

[iwannabeachp]

I am a Department of the Army Civilian Police officer on Ft Lewis Washington. I work with these officers on a daily basis, and cannot put into words the feelings we are all having this morning. I have lost 4 good friends this morning, and the world is a lesser place without them. God speed my friends.

[PapaBear]

PARKLAND, Wash. - A gunman walked into a coffee shop and shot and killed four police officers Sunday morning in what sheriff's officials described as a targeted "execution."

The officers were sitting in the cafe at a strip mall near the Tacoma suburb of Parkland with their laptop computers, preparing for their day shifts, when a man came in and opened fire, Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said.

The officers were obviously targeted because they were in full uniform, their marked patrol cars were parked outside and no one else was shot at, Troyer said.


"This was more of an execution. He walked in with the mind of shooting police officers," Troyer said.

It wasn't immediately known if any of the officers were able to return fire. They were declared dead at the scene.

Troyer said two employees and a few customers were in the Forza Coffee Company shop at the time but no one else was hurt. "As you can imagine they are all traumatized," he said.

Authorities scoured the area for the gunman, who fled from the coffee shop on foot and may have gotten into a nearby vehicle. The shooting suspect was described as a "scruffy"-faced black man in his 20s or 30s, 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 10 and wearing a black jacket over a gray hooded sweatshirt, and blue jeans.

"We are in the process of searching multiple locations," Troyer said.

Nearby McChord Air Force Base was put on alert.

No advance threats
The victims were three males and one female, all officers with the Lakewood Police Department southwest of Tacoma, Troyer said.

There were no specific advance threats against the officers, Troyer said.

A $10,000 reward was being offered for information leading to those responsible.


This is an example of the danger that police officers and deputy sheriffs and state troopers face every day," Sheriff Paul Pastor said. "The person or people who did this not only harmed us, they harmed the good that we can do in the community."

There was no indication of any connection with the Halloween night shooting of a Seattle police officer, Troyer said. The suspect in that shooting remains hospitalized.

'Hits close to home'
The Forza coffee shop, part of a popular local chain, is on a side street near McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, about 35 miles south of Seattle. The shop is in a small retail center alongside two restaurants, a cigar store and a nail salon.

Brad Carpenter, founder and owner of Forza Coffee, said his staff was OK and being interviewed by police, and that his main concern was with the families of the police officers.


I'm a retired police officer, so this really hits close to home for me," he said.

Streets around the coffee shop were blocked off late Sunday morning, and a police helicopter hovered over a large crowd of investigators.

Dave Gabrielson, a clerk at Foot Mart about a block away from the coffee shop, told The News Tribune of Tacoma all was quiet when he opened the store at 8 a.m. About 30 minutes later, "All of a sudden a million cops were zooming up and down the road," Gabrielson said.

He said he saw officers bring a police dog into a nearby apartment complex.

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said she was "shocked and horrified" by the killings.

"Our police put their lives on the line every day, and tragedies like this remind us of the risks they continually take to keep our communities safe," she said in a statement. "My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of these officers, as well as the entire law enforcement community."

[LS1CHP]

Sad day. Horrific and cowardly act, may god bless their souls, and keep a watchful eye on their loved ones.

All LEO'S, stand guard, and be safe.

[bcjack]

May the Officers Rest In Peace. I hope the perp is caught quickly and doesn't make it to trial...

[codyg83]

May the Officers Rest In Peace. I hope the perp is caught quickly and doesn't make it to trial...

Ditto. What a coward.

[chpbagpiper]

I am a Department of the Army Civilian Police officer on Ft Lewis Washington. I work with these officers on a daily basis, and cannot put into words the feelings we are all having this morning. I have lost 4 good friends this morning, and the world is a lesser place without them. God speed my friends.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the familes of those officers. There is nothing that could be said that could possibly take in the enormity of this tradgedy. If Lakewood Police would like a piper to perform at the service for those officers, I am offering to do so free of charge and would make my own travel arrangements. It would be a privledge to honor the fallen and in some small measure assist those fellow officers in the grieving process.

[HIPCHIP]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34194867#34194867


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34194122/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

[Yzeman]

There were two threads regarding this tragedy. They have been merged together.

[AyatollahGondola]

May the Officers Rest In Peace. I hope the perp is caught quickly and doesn't make it to trial...
C'mon now.....that's not the way it works here.

[LadyVol@330]

More from the Tacoma newspaper:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/

[HIPCHIP]

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?pnum=1&bfromind=7405&eeid=6967463&_sitecat=1181&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=-2&ck=&ch=ne&rg=blsadstrgt

[HIPCHIP]

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?pnum=1&bfromind=7405&eeid=6967463&_sitecat=1181&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=-2&ck=&ch=ne&rg=blsadstrgt
Update to story w/photo's of the officers

[HIPCHIP]

Partial post of above. It appears the link stays the same, but the story is updated.

PARKLAND, Wash. (AP) - A man with an extensive criminal past - including a lengthy prison sentence commuted by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee nearly a decade ago - was being sought Sunday in a deadly ambush on four police officers who were gunned down inside a coffee shop.

Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer told reporters that Maurice Clemmons, 37, was believed to have been in the area around the time of the shooting, but declined to say what evidence might link him to the shooting.

Clemmons has an extensive violent criminal history from Arkansas, including aggravated robbery and theft, the sheriff's office said. He also recently was arrested and charged in Washington state for assaulting a police officer, and second-degree rape of a child. Using a bail bondsman, he posted $150,000 and was released from jail last week.

Still unclear was why a man entered the coffee shop and gunned down Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39; and Officers Ronald Owens, 37; Tina Griswold, 40; and Greg Richards 42.

[cjincognito]

A man with an extensive criminal past - including a lengthy prison sentence commuted by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee nearly a decade ago

Okay, I'll say it...WTF?!? Glad he didn't become President. Charles Manson would probably be freed!

[gabriel]

Okay, I'll say it...WTF?!? Glad he didn't become President. Charles Manson would probably be freed!

+1

Godspeed to the officer's family. A tragic day, just tragic.

[PapaBear]

I was asked, through a PM, to post these thoughts. It is from the wife of an officer who wishes to remain anonymous...........


My thoughts on the Washington tradegy:

And, this my dear naive citizens is what is different about our husbands' jobs.

You don't get sought after in a coffee shop for wearing your McDonald's, Cal Trans, Wal-mart, and etc........... uniforms while having coffee. You don't have to think that this, this, one stop could be it for me. You don't know what it does to my stomach (well you L.E. spouse/s.o do ) to know that one, just one stop, w/ some coward could take my husband's life and that sadly yes he could simply walk into a 7-11 to get some java to help him through his shift and be it. I'm so tired of hearing people's sly comments that all he does is drive a car all day long or that he is triple A w/ a badge. The coward doesn't differentiate between what dept a Police officer works for , but just that he can put his sorry ass in jail. Sheriff, State Patrol, PD, and etc............ are all brothers/sisters united to keep the peace and enforce the law. I'm so sorry about the tangent, but my heart aches for the 4 Officers' families, co workers, and their community. I by no means sit somber all day w/ these thoughts in my head and harping on it, but w/ events as tragic as these it does bring them to the fore front for discussion. I knew what I signed up for being his cheerleader in the academy and in life so don't get me wrong there is no whoa is me here it's just........ what ever. And, just in case some are reading this w/ judgement No I don't need EAP or anything it's just a tangent haha. Sorry :o( The article on the tragic events just got me going. God Bless.

[emcviper]

Okay, I'll say it...WTF?!? Glad he didn't become President. Charles Manson would probably be freed!
95-year prison sentence from what I saw?

I've always felt there had to be some checks and balances on commuting sentences and pardons.

[gabriel]

95-year prison sentence from what I saw?

I've always felt there had to be some checks and balances on commuting sentences and pardons.

Huckabee issued a statement.. no sense in giving him more publicity by pasting it or the url to his website, but it says something to the effect of

"Yeah I recommended him for parole but the parole board was the one with the final word, plus after he was out he violated parole and was sent back in to serve the full term, but the prosecutors decided not to prosecute for the charge which caused the violation so he got out"... basically he's saying he has nothing to do with it.

Big surprise.

[Mom]

It's over, thank God. The gunman was killed, people who assisted him during his rampage are being arrested. May there be peace for the families.

[emcviper]

It's over, thank God.
+1
No insanity plea, change of venue, recused judges, change of counsel, thrown-out evidence, myriad motions to dismiss, etc. Does not erase the tragedy, but I cannot think of a better resolution to the horror.

[E433035]

Does not erase the tragedy, but I cannot think of a better resolution to the horror.Maybe a slower and more painful death for the perp but that's it. May all the abetters rot in jail for a good long time.

[AyatollahGondola]

+1
No insanity plea, change of venue, recused judges, change of counsel, thrown-out evidence, myriad motions to dismiss, etc. Does not erase the tragedy, but I cannot think of a better resolution to the horror.

I don't quite agree. There's something to be said for getting a judgement, sending them to death row for a short time, and then they become more aware of the impending doom as the countdown comes, last meal, last rites, and last walk occur. The state having the final control, and there's no amount of squirming or repenting that will stop the horror for them. Beats going out in a hail of gunfire or even a single quick gunshot at their own decision.

[SB 405]

Maybe a slower and more painful death for the perp but that's it. May all the abetters rot in jail for a good long time.

I heard one of the Officers got a shot off that struck this a-hole. He's been walking around with a bullet in his gut for the past few days. Can't help but think that must have been pretty painful.

[Lilrecruit21]

I am just glad that some form of justice was served. Had he gotten away, or been freed by the courts, I would have been pretty upset. I am ok with the death penalty, as long as it doesn't come 30 years after the man or woman is found guilty. I take the Ron White approach and send them in the "express lane." Reading about this makes me wonder though, it sounded as if the cop pulled him over, the man drew his gun (later found to be on of the slain officer's gun) and the Police officer fired several rounds into his chest. Sound like suicide by cop to you guys? I think he knew he was going away for a long time and took the easy way out. As I said earlier, any way is better than no way. :closed:

[Motor City Cop]

It's over, thank God. The gunman was killed, people who assisted him during his rampage are being arrested. May there be peace for the families.


And too the gunman I say.....BYE FOREVER!

[LadyVol@330]

The fact that the assassin is out of the picture now will make the grieving process and the funeral a little less conflicted and all can concentrate on the remembrances of those lost. Those who assisted the perp in this will pay mightily for their stupidity, family member or no. I have a hard time dealing with the fact that there are nine children who have had a parent murdered in this senseless crime.

http://police.cityoflakewood.us/

[iwannabeachp]

The past few days have been extreemly trying for all police officers here in Northwest Washington. Last night was the first actual sleep I have had since Saturday afternoon, before going on what would turn into the longest night shift of my life. Tuesday I, along with countless other police officers, will say goodbye to 4 of our friends for the final time. The memorial is being held in Tacoma at the Tacoma Dome at 1300 hrs. Hopefully it will be the last memorial of this type in a very long time.

[gabriel]

The past few days have been extreemly trying for all police officers here in Northwest Washington. Last night was the first actual sleep I have had since Saturday afternoon, before going on what would turn into the longest night shift of my life. Tuesday I, along with countless other police officers, will say goodbye to 4 of our friends for the final time. The memorial is being held in Tacoma at the Tacoma Dome at 1300 hrs. Hopefully it will be the last memorial of this type in a very long time.

Godspeed the family of the fallen, to you and your brethren. I only hope all can move on to continue to make your particular beats safer. Always know that there are people out there who support you and what you do.

R.I.P. Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Greg Richards, Officer Tina Griswold and Officer Ronald Owen, you will not be forgotten.

[Mom]

I don't quite agree. There's something to be said for getting a judgement, sending them to death row for a short time, and then they become more aware of the impending doom as the countdown comes, last meal, last rites, and last walk occur. The state having the final control, and there's no amount of squirming or repenting that will stop the horror for them. Beats going out in a hail of gunfire or even a single quick gunshot at their own decision.Maybe, but as it was a possibility he was planning on taking a 5th life, I prefer this scenario.

[HIPCHIP]

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?pnum=1&bfromind=7406&eeid=6967417&_sitecat=1522&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=2&ck=&ch=ne&rg=blsadstrgt&_lid=332&_lnm=tg+ne+topnews&ck=

Susp's half brother in custody for assisting the susp.

[LadyVol@330]

TNT Photos:


http://blog.thenewstribune.com/photo/ :cry:

[LadyVol@330]

http://www.lpig.us/pics/Gone%20but%20never%20forgotten.jpg


http://www.lpig.us/

[emcviper]

I was watching the Seahawks-Niners game yesterday and noticed that the head coach of the seahawks has a memorial hat on with the Lakewood PD patch on the front and E.O.W. 11/29/09 on the back. I thought it was a great gesture.

[LadyVol@330]

Live feed of Memorial Service from Tacoma Dome on:

http://www.q13fox.com/videobeta/?watchLive=kcpq-120809-livestream

[CAHPDist2X]

One of my Board members an I went up for the service. Saw my SF Alt. Rep there who was on a V-day but decided to jump on a plane and go. It was probably the biggest funeral I have ever been to. I was told 20,000 and I believe it. There were about 1,000 red coated mounties. Heavy Canadian presence. If someone can PM me to tell me how to upload pictures, I will post a couple. Washington State Patrol Association fixed us up with a Trooper and a car to take us around. First class all the way.
I felt bad for those with an "A" boarding pass on the flight home since there were 30 or so of us preboarders carrying weapons.

[LadyVol@330]

The funeral was huge. I wish I had thought to seek out coverage on the Web earlier and probably have gotten a better view of the various agencies. The large contigent of RCMP was amazing! I can't even imagine how you must have felt at something that large. I am sure that the LPD will be numb yet for quite some time --what a devastating sudden loss of so many officers at once. I watched from between three and four hours since it got such a late start. I think of all affected by this every single day.

[AyatollahGondola]

There were about 1,000 red coated mounties. Heavy Canadian presence.
A thousand probably made a noticable dent in their ranks for the day too.

[iwannabeachp]

Yesterday was an extremely emotional day for those of us that wear a badge. I was extremely honored to be a part of saying farewell to 4 amazing human beings. Being so close to so many of the Lakewood police officers, I was thinking about taking the night off tonight to just relax and let my mind recover from the events of the past week and a half. I decided to go to work anyway, because that is how we honor our fallen brothers and sisters. During my shift I had to call for assistance from the Washington State Patrol. The officer that responded turned out to be a former partner of Ronnie Owens, one of the fallen Lakewood officers. After handling the incident, the trooper and I shared an embrace and a few tears, then got back in our respective patrol cars and went back to work. That is why we do what we do, and that's how we honor our brave brothers and sisters. God speed Tina, Ronnie, Mark, and Greg. Rest at ease. We will take it from here.

[HAZLEWOOD]

I was in Portland the day after the funeral and to see all the different departments going home on I-5 was very touching. When you know the departments came together to pay their respects is great. When you look over the divider and see the ones that drove all the way from Cali., Oakland, Vellejo, and many others I'm sure did. It gives you a sense of pride to know that they are all different departments but one family. Ya, it was wet in Cali. but up there the rain stopped and the heavens opened.

[dw]

One of my Board members an I went up for the service. Saw my SF Alt. Rep there who was on a V-day but decided to jump on a plane and go. It was probably the biggest funeral I have ever been to. I was told 20,000 and I believe it. There were about 1,000 red coated mounties. Heavy Canadian presence. If someone can PM me to tell me how to upload pictures, I will post a couple. Washington State Patrol Association fixed us up with a Trooper and a car to take us around. First class all the way.
I felt bad for those with an "A" boarding pass on the flight home since there were 30 or so of us preboarders carrying weapons.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/738855494_hzjD5-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/738855609_RavFa-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/738855628_kiUpB-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/738855386_3LKjo-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/738855165_WjW57-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/738854539_rnhNK-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/738854801_Hmfve-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/738854972_VZh4C-M.jpg

[iwannabeachp]

You actually got me in two of the pictures there DW. It was an extremly awesome showing of support to see so many police officers from around the country and beyond there. I also saw a CHP officer walk in with one of the families.

[dw]

You actually got me in two of the pictures there DW. It was an extremly awesome showing of support to see so many police officers from around the country and beyond there. I also saw a CHP officer walk in with one of the families.The pics are from CAHPDist2.

[iwannabeachp]

My apologies to both gentlemen. I should have looked closer at the post.