Jefferson County Sheriff Tony Hernandez woke up at 5 a.m. Tuesday and prepared for “a heart-wrenching day.”
Hernandez and 12 other members of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office drove to the Hood Canal Bridge, where they met eight members of the Port Townsend Police Department.
About two dozen Clallam County officers, as well as State Patrol troopers, joined the convoy from the North Olympic Peninsula to the Tacoma Dome for a service in the memory of four Lakewood police officers who were shot and killed at a Parkland coffee shop last month.
“There must have been 70 or 80 cars that all went down together,” Hernandez said.
During the drive, Port Townsend Police Officer Luke Bogues said people waved, putting their hands out the window and giving them the “thumbs up” sign.
Many stood for hours on the road to hold signs of support and to fly American flags.
“It was very humbling,” Bogues said.
“It’s always humbling, something like this.”
Before the memorial, a procession of about 2,000 law enforcement vehicles made its way along a 10.3-mile route from McChord Air Force Base to the Tacoma Dome.
The service began about an hour later than planned because of the size of the procession.
“I think it may have set a record,” Hernandez said.
“It was three hours long.”
About 3,000 Royal Canadian Mounted Police were on hand, along with law enforcement from all across the nation.
And even though the law enforcement officers from Jefferson County were toward the end of the line, “people were still waving flags, crying and standing in the freezing cold to say thank you.” Hernandez said.
But the day was not about Jefferson County’s law enforcement. It was about paying tribute to Sgt. Mark Renninger and officers Tina Griswold, Greg Richards and Ronald Owens who were shot and killed in Parkland on Nov. 29.
Maurice Clemmons, 37, the suspected shooter, was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer on Dec. 1.
‘Very emotional’
“The memorial was very emotional,” Hernandez said.
“It was very difficult to sit through, but it was such a great tribute to the officers and to their families.
“It showed you the commitment these officers brought to their department, and that is worth celebrating.
“There really aren’t words to describe that.”
Bogues said the service was a reminder and a learning lesson.
“I know it sounds strange, but you come out as a better officer from a memorial like this,” he said. “You learn something from them and that teaches you. Also you go to honor their families and their fellow officers.
He said holding one memorial for four officers had never been done before.
“They pulled it off very well,” Bogues said. “It was a good way to honor their lives, the commitment they made and the sacrifice.”
Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict remembered recent memorials for Forest Service Officer Kristine Fairbanks, Skagit County Sheriff’s Deputy Anne Jackson and Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton, who was killed on duty on Halloween.
“This last year’s been terrible,” Benedict said.
Sequim Police Bob Chief Spinks, a 30-year veteran of police work, said the riskiest places to wear a badge are major cities and rural communities like Clallam County because there simply aren’t very many cops.
“Unfortunately, when you have an event like this, it does really open your eyes,” Spinks said.
“It’s why you put on a badge every day.”
One of the slain officers, Griswold, was born in Port Angeles and grew up in Shelton.
Some of the cops who spoke about Griswold and the other Lakewood officers gave humorous anecdotes that broke the tension of the solemn event, Spinks said.
“Every one of these officers — they’re outstanding,” Spinks said.
“They’re the kind of people you want protecting you.”
Hernandez remember in particular the message from Lakewood Police Chief Bret Farrar.
“The Police Chief told everyone that they would still put on their equipment every morning, go to work and make Lakewood a safe place for the citizens,” Hernandez said.
“He has that exactly right.
“That is something we will all continue to do, every day.”
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
ReporterRob Ollikainen also contributed to this story.
