Seattle Police Officer Murdered at 29th & Yesler

By scott
(3 votes) (report abuse)
A massive police response descended on 29th & Yesler

Last night a veteran Seattle police officer was gunned down in cold blood as he sat in a patrol car at 29th & Yesler. He was a training officer, working with a recent police academy graduate, and was sitting in the passenger seat of a stationary police vehicle when a "lighter colored small car" pulled up next to them and opened fire, killing the training officer. A female trainee was sitting in the driver seat and ducked, suffering only a grazing wound.

The trainee, on the force for about seven months, made a radio call regarding "shots fired" and asking for medics to respond to the scene. She also exited the vehicle and returned fire, striking the suspect vehicle several times as it drove away. She was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds.

Police officers from around the city and larger metro area streamed into the Central District after the shooting, canvassing the neighborhood for the suspect vehicle. But as of press time, no suspects have been identified or apprehended.

Assistant Chief Jim Pugel said that the investigation is very preliminary, but that officers were fanning out across the city in search of the suspects. "The officers are very upset. This is highly unusual. This is an attack not just on police officers but society as a whole." SPD spokesman Sean Whitcomb later said that this type of attack is unprecedented in Seattle.

No details are available on the murdered officer, pending notification of his family. Chief Diaz informed the victim's family of his death, and was still with the family early this morning. We can say that his radio call sign identified him as part of George sector, which spans most of the Central District south of Union to I-90.

Whitcomb said that Field Training Officers occupy a special position in the force, and that you must be specifically chosen for the program. They shadow student officers who have recently graduated from the police academy, giving them on-the-job training as they become full police officers.

This is the first time an officer has been killed was murdered in the line of duty in Seattle since 1994. All SPD active duties since 1994 involved accidents. A long line of squad cars formed up on MLK early this morning to lead a procession that escorted the deceased officer's body to Harborview.

Additional details will be provided at a press conference on Sunday afternoon. Stay tuned for continuing coverage on CDNews and and our new partner website seattlecrime.com.

Also - refer back to our breaking news reports:

12:11PM - This morning the scene of the shooting has cleared of all but a single
police command vehicle. A memorial has started to grow on the
northwest corner of 29th and Yesler, th apparent location of where the
officer's vehicle was parke when the unknown suspects opened fire.

We haven't gotten official word of when the next press conference will
be held. But we'll hve full coverage here in CDNews and at our new
partner site http://seattlecrime.com
tags: Homicide, Murder, Officer Murder, Halloween Officer Murder + add tags
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location: Central AreaSeattle, Washington
posted on Sun, Nov 01, 2009 09:27 AM
last updated on Sun, Nov 01, 2009 12:04 PM
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Correction bysix shooter3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
This is the first time an officers has been shot in the line of duty since 1994. Lito Barber was killed at 23rd and Yessler August 16, 2006.
Sad and senseless byCrickett3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
My heart goes out to the SPD and the family of the officer. It's so sad and senseless. This brings back all of the feelings from when Officer Barber was killed here just a few years ago. These officers protect our community and put their lives on the line every day, I truly hope they know how much they are appreciated.
Sick byraincitysun3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I heard the story at work last night (I'm in the business, though I don't work for SPD). Such a tragedy.
CD in the papers byDedavid3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Always nice to see the CD in the news.
likely a gang shooting byJohn3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Sounds like some one is trying to gain some status in their gang. He and his homey are a little high-riding around the hood, packing a 9, listening to some rap, keeping it real: "hey man-look at that cop..."
RE: likely a gang shooting byJackson3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
You forgot to add the part about the Cadillac with the 24" wheels and body damage in every corner.
RE: likely a gang shooting bytif3 months ago (1 votes) (report abuse)
hahaha trying to gain status for their gang? this isn't new york or Los Angeles.....is blaming it on a gang the only thing you guys do on here anymore? gang members are worried about killing each other....not police...if they were worried about killing police it wouldn't have been 15 years since the last police officer was gunned down....this was a senseless act that didn't need to even happen its just very annoying that every time something happens everyone is so quick to speculate that it was a gang member that did it....just like when Aaron Sullivan was killed in Leschi everyone couldn't say it enough that it was gang related but then come to find out it was an argument over a girl....let the police decide if it was gang related and stop

"He and his homey are a little high-riding around the hood, packing a 9, listening to some rap, keeping it real: "hey man-look at that cop..."-------could you be anymore stereotypical??? why don't you go knock on that "gang bangers" window next time, let them know you have a problems with them and their rap...oh wait that wont ever happen so keep sitting behind your computer screen and make your comments because that is all you guys ever do on here....complain about everything going on around you...if you don't like it find another neighborhood to live in...one that doesn't have gangsters with rap playing in their car

this is about the poor officer that lost his life....pay your respects and stop being a smart ass on here
Gang Shooting byrainy113 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I was just thinking that this morning on my way to work. I wonder where the guy is? WTF is wrong with these people????!!!!!
Harms way byDavid3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
What scars me is that these shooters were out looking for trouble, and in our neighborhood, where our families live, where our trick or treaters were, and came upon one of our finest. All too often we forget how these officers place themselves in harms way to protect us. It sounds like these brave two officers were just making certain our kids were safe out last night, and just happened to be targeted instead. I wonder, .. if these shooters had not found this brave officer, would they have shot a similarly unsuspecting trick or treater?
RE: Harms way byMary3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Before buying a house in the CD I lived in several neighborhoods in Seattle. This is the only neighborhood in which I have felt the need to look all around when stopped at an intersection and keep my car doors locked and windows rolled up. I used to ride the bus. But after some very unpleasant rides on the routes 3 and 4 I now drive to work and pay the parking. And when I get home at night I scan the streets and sidewalks before leaving my car to walk to my front door. And of course my door is always locked. When the housing market picks up I'm moving out of here.

If a cop isn't safe from a drive by shooting in this neighborhood. Who is?
RE: Mary -- Harms way byDavid3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Mary,
I think there can be danger in any neighborhood, and possibly more so if you are complacent, or overly comfortable. In our case ( the Central District ), usually we are totally safe, but now and again we get these reminders that we need to be more vigalent, and to consider how we can support making OUR neighbors and neighborhood more safe. Running away may be one solution, but for most of us it just is not our first consideration. In the case of this shooting, it could have happened in any neighborhood, and though it just happened to be our neighborhood this time, it does not change the sadness or loss we all feel ( reguardless of where the shooting took place ). These brave and dedicated Officers represent us, and though often we forget, they deserve our full support and respect. Sometimes just giving them a friendly wave or smile, as they drive by, can make them aware of our appreciation of their efforts.
More than saddened byArch3 months ago (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I feel just sick about this. My heart goes out to that officer's co-workers and especially his family. I truly hope they catch the murderers.
Not a Cadillac byHeath Hunnicutt3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
An older, light colored, white or gray, small car, possibly Toyota, probably hatchback, probably two doors...

Yes I assume a gangster did this but let's be useful in the information we pass on. We don't know if there were one, two, or more suspects in that car. The car was believed to depart west-bound, however it commenced west-bound a short distance east of Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, where it could have turned either north or south.

From the description of the event, the car could have bullet holes in the passenger side, the rear of the car, and/or the front of the car.

Would the neighborhood be any different if we had openly accessable web cameras covering the public ways, recording the goings-on? Would it be worse or better?
Truly sad bySean3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Agree with David in his post. This is an attack on all of us, not just the police. My thoughts are with the family. To all the rest of us, I say be no friend to the gang lie or the lie about hatred and the criminal life. Contribute in some way to your community. Don't look the other way when you see young men living out the lie of these things. Be no friend to the falseness these young men follow. They are wrong, and they hurt all of us while throwing their lives away into this crap.

Do something for your community and, when you get the chance, say thank you to an officer. There is an "our" side of the street we are responsible for if we want that working relationship to be better.
Concise SPD blog summary/ Seattle Times article with new details byAndrew Taylor3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2009/11/01/officer-shot-and-ki

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010181624_w
@jackson byJohn3 months ago (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
"You forgot to add the part about the Cadillac with the 24" wheels and body damage in every corner."

You're right Jackson. we shouldn't be stereotyping the killer as likely a gang member. He could have been a school teacher, accountant, store clerk, or whatever-just a God fearing hardworking law-abiding good citizen in the community who happened to make a bad choice.

Come on man! We live here. we see who is standing on our corners doing what. We see who is driving around our streets at night and doing what. We know who did this: Some pants sagging gang member. If I'm wrong I'll be back to apologize.
RE: @jackson bytif3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
if you know who did this go tell the police...come on now..nobody knows who did this....so you should be back to apologzie...
A tragedy... byStephanie Tschida3 months ago (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I am devastated to hear of this totally senseless murder of one of our officers. Our officers commit their lives in many ways to serve us. No way is this acceptable.
My condolences to the family of the slain officer, ALL of the men and women who serve us in the Seattle Police Department, and the community; who are all suffering together from this great loss.
Stephanie Tschida, Chair
East Precinct Crime Prevention Coalition
RE: A tragedy... byjoanna3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Stephanie, I just want to say thank you.
Call your state senator... bykarl popov3 months ago (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Assassinating a police officer in the line of duty should be a death penalty offense.
... bySherwin3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
When I first heard, it was really hard to fight back tears. You think about us as a society. We put these laws into place. We try to teach common ethics to our kids. And for the most part, we like to pat ourselves on our backs because most people manage to grow up criminal-free. And then stuff like this happens. You wonder how it happens. Why people would commit a violation against another human life. How anything possibly justifies this. It's then you see how messed up our society really is. Will these cowards ever be caught? Even if they are, will our "justice" system deliver?

But then again, when I see the countless number of neighbors who've poured out their hearts for Timothy Brenton; when I see residents standing together to say "we will not tolerate this." When I see Leschi unite together. When I see the Central District point its middle finger to these coward-rotten criminals. When I see our city grow stronger in tragedy. Then yeah, society is worth fighting for.

I'll stop by 23rd and Yesler tomorrow to pay a visit to the memorial site.
shootings in the cd. byharriettubman3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
The answer is not more prisons, jails, and law enforcement. That is the old way. Maybe its time to look at the big picture. Racism is on the increase largely because of the recent economic crashes caused by banks and Wall Street not by people in this neighborhood or black youth or gangs.
School closings, evictions, foreclosures, poverty, low wages, drugs, the increasing gap between the rich and poor, class wars, wars for corporations, homelessness, (yes, police brutality) and bigotry helps increase the dangers in this society.

The assassins could be white supremacists. (They are guilty of more police murders than any other group).

(Those that would give up their freedom for security deserve neither). And our freedoms, such as they are, are diminishing and will continue if we don't stand up.

This is a country that has more prisons than any other country in the world. This is a city that offers money for jail but has none for school.
If we keep doing the same things we can expect the same results. And the dangers will not diminish but will probably increase. There are many that do not wish to settle for a police state much to the chagrin of those in power and many of the wealthy who want us under their control and surveillance (note: recent Homeland Security founding and empowerments).

It is sad that someone got killed. It is also sad that we have more prisons (prisoners = minorities, the poor) than any other country in the world.
RE: shootings in the cd. byIdi3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Yes, I bet with just a little more welfare, these thugs would have been Rhodes Scholars......yawn.
RE: shootings in the cd. byDa'David3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
So what about the majority of poor people who don't become criminal thugs, what's their excuse?
RE: shootings in the cd. byBilly Chav3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
We wouldn't need so many prison if we didn't have so many violent criminals. Obviously.

And Jesus Christ, what is it with these dingbats who go on about 'why aren't bankers in prison' when it has no relation to the subject at hand? People with IQ's under 100 need to be careful to steer clear of sophisticated sociological analysis, because they always end up looking really stupid when they do.
Re " The assassins could be white supremacists." bygm3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Good grief. I've lived in the CD my entire life (nearly 50 years) and I can tell you white supremacists having the balls to enter the CD has got to be an extreme rarity. When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.
Officer murder byDale3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Why is no one considering prevention, including but not limited to improved gun control? If we adopted more of the social policies of Europe and Canada, we would have less violence and less prisoners. How long will we allow the NRA to dictate our gun laws? Put video cameras in police cruisers and add surveillance to high crime areas.
responding byharriettubman3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Idi and Da'David - same old, same old responses. Maybe someone would have become a rhodes scholar.

Apparently, you don't have a problem with the prison industrial complex and white supremacy and poverty.

Why aren't the bankers in prison for stealing our money? What about corporate welfare? No problem with that? BUT IT BOTHERS YOU IF SOMEONE GETS FOOD STAMPS! I don't have time to answer any more of your ridiculous responses.
RE: responding byDe'David3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Oh I get it, it's not these thugs fault they shot a cop, it's everyone elses. Wow, at what point can anyone be held responsible for their actions?
RE: responding bytif3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
no one knows who did it, so why are you so quick to blame it on thugs De'David????? could have been anyone...let the police do their job and find out who did it
whoever, whatever outfit they run with... can we agree they were Crazy? byMyNeighborhood, MyCity3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
in rpg video game parlance, we've got
1 DPS/glass cannon:
(1 Toyota, 1 rifle, 1 cowardly suicide-terrorist ploy and 1 skewed view of right&wrong)
vs.
2 tanks:
(2 righteous trained urban police officers, in trained & peak physical condition, trained in martial arts/defense, with a beefed-up Interceptor, 2 sidearms, a shotgun, nightsticks/tasers/pepperspray & bulletproof vests. not to mention on board dash cams, internet, radios, phones ...and 200+ 'tank' friends working nearby)

The odds of shooting an officer and even getting away unshot were incredibly slim. Whoever thought they could go up against our guys (SPD) and not (eventually) get their due is Mentally Unstable, regardless who she or he is, or what clothes they wear.
( Also, I'm sure the Fruedians in the crowd would recognize insanity-level 'overcompensation /feeling of impotence' as a possibly issue for the shooter: whether this person's in a gang or not, the LAST thing they are is 'proving' they're a bad ass).
I have no fear at this point that the person will be caught. My only worry is that this crazy person will hurt someone else before being brought down/in.

As far as what can we do for the future? part of me wishes the Guardian Angels were still in Seattle... like they are in 100 other cities.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, SPD.
officers murders byphikeppa553 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I moved here from TN after retiring from Law Enforcement. In Knoxville, there was a horrible murder of one detective and another detective emotionally harmed for life. Now this has happened here. It is unbelievable. My heart goes out to the family, as I remember the days for the detective's wife in TN after her husband was murdered. All I can say is I pray for you, your children, and extended family members. There are no words to make this senseless action any easier. Our community needs to bond togather to find the sick person that performed this horrible action. This officer's life will not be in vain.
bullshit byME FOLKS3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
first off im sorry that theese officers got shot but im from the south side and this aint new shit yall cops ok so it aint happened in3 years but gangs man it affects my family but its all yall damn yuppies fault you pushed me into a project now my nieghbor who is 6 feet across from me is a killer so fuck yall i hope you folks do move its not a burden yall cared bout before but now that yall came and took our houses from us cause yall cant afford dem lavish 80000 dollar houses you buy our houses and try changing shit then you realize oh wait its not so easy im scared welcome to our world them niggas that killed that cop was angry at yall for takin away our homes man dont get me wrong shouldnta resolved it with bloodshed nope not that but yall suck
RE: bullshit byCDeezie3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Thank you.
RE: bullshit byRight ON!3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Right on! Every bad thing that happens to black people is white people's fault. I heard that every morning, before they eat their breakfast, every white person must meditate for two minutes on what they will do that day to hold the black man down. It's white people who force black teenagers to drop out of school and join gangs. White people dress them like thugs and give them guns and send them into your neighborhood to shoot each other and bystanders. White people are making them do that. It's all white people's fault. And when Malcolm X said that people who hold black people to a lower standard than white people. And accept behavior by blacks that they would condemn in whites ARE THE REAL RACISTS--well he got got it wrong. It's all whitey's fault. And it's white people who make those black babies and walk away from them. And it's white people who are committing the crimes that black men go to prison for. White people's biggest fear is that one day black people will accept responsibility for their own behavior. You know what I mean. Like the large number of black people in this country who are not thugs and criminals and making babies they won't support. Black people who don't dress like thugs and call each other niggas. Racism exists! There is no doubt about that. But we have seen a black man of modest means and an equally accomplished wife from a working class family become President and first lady they did it by staying out of prison, staying in school, not becoming teenage parents, and not whining about the racism they encountered but by dealing with it in a mature thoughtful manner.
RE: bullshit bySo right on3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
And don't forget McDonalds at 3rd and Pike. White people have lured all dozens black preteens and teenagers down there to hang out on school nights instead of being home doing their schoolwork. The city pays one or two cops to hang out there with them because...?

And how do the people passing by see these kids as they stand out there yelling profanity and fighting and so on? And where are the kids parents? Those damn white people. It's all their fault.
Blame the gangs... bybubba K3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Wake up people, do you really think it was the gangs. When the smoke clears, my money for this bet would put the blame on one or more of the following:

A. Ex Police officer / Deputy who has a lot of anger about how he was treated
B. Current or Former military with urban assault training.
or C. City worker who had previous access to garage where arson occured. This person would have had a military combat assult background and possibly had their police department application passed over.

My final guess is that if and when the responsiable person is caught, he will turn out to be a white male between 25 to 30 years old that those who know him would have never suspected him capiable of such a crime.
do not jump to conclusions byanon3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Please do not jump to conclusions before this is solved. Inferring it is "gang-bangers" instead of the myriad of other possibilities: serial killer, meth head, retired military who has lost his mind, etc., only revels the deeply racist mindset of some of our citizens. Let's wait until there are more facts before inferring young black men were involved.
RE: do not jump to conclusions bygm3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
I don't know about that. Before putting my child in a public high school from private school, I called the head of the SPD gang unit and asked a lot of questions. I was told that gangs are in all of the high schools in Seattle, regardless of neighborhood, and members are not at all of one color each anymore. Instead the various gangs contain members from different races and from different parts of town. CD turfed gangs have members who live no where near the CD, white members, Russian members, Asian members, etc. I don't think someone thinking it might be gang related points to a stereotype of any one color or neighborhood any more like it might have in the 1980's.
BULLSHIT byBULLSHIT3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
NAW WE BLACKS AND HISPANICS ARE THE REAL GANGS BESIDES MAN A COP SHOT MY NIGGA ON YESSLER TWICE IN THE LEG HE HAD A CELLPHONE ON HIM YOU YUPPIES PUT US UNDER SCRUTINY FUCK YALL
RE: BULLSHIT byGangstersGoGayInPrison2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Too bad it wasn't in the head, esse. You little saggy baggy gangsters all just need a good lead pill to keep you from corn holing each other.
stop fighting byCoolBeans,3 months ago (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
this is not a place to fight. stop correcting others and saying how there wrong. its there oppinion. they can think what they want. but we have an officer who got shot. think about her and not what others type.
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