JULY Hot Sheet
the Hot Sheet
Washington State Retired Deputy Sheriffs and Police Officers Association
P.O. Box 13265 Spokane Valley, WA 99213
Website: www.wsrdspoa.org
JULY 2020
HAPPY JULY 4TH
President
Joe Dawson, King Co SO
Vice Presidents
West: Ronnie Johnston Tukwila PD
East: Don McCabe, Spokane Co SO
Secretary
Dawn Morrow, Spokane Co SO
Treasurer
Jim Hill, Spokane Co SO
Members at Large
West Members At Large: Zbig Kasprzyk, King Co SO; Brent Beden, King Co SO
East Members At Large: Dennis Hooper, Spokane PD; Doug Partlow, Tukwila PD
Meeting Schedules
Puget Sound Area 1st Tuesday of the Month
Johnny’s At Fife Restaurant
5211 20 ST. E.
Fife, WA. 98424
11:00 AM
Spokane County
Retired Sheriff Deputies, Employees and Spouses Association
1st Monday of the Month at 11:30AM
Darcy’s Restaurant
10502 E Sprague Ave.
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
WSRDSPOA ANNUAL CONVENTION
Kennewick
September 16-19, 2020
Columbia Sun RV Resort
103907 Wiser Parkway
Kennewick, WA
855-833-3886 or 509-420-4880 http://columbiasunrvresort.com/
Note:
All lunch meetings, both East & West, are on hold till further notice. The annual convention is still on the calendar, if this changes we will let everyone know.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Members!
Hopefully this finds all healthy and enjoying retirement.
This summer will be unusual from those in the past, the use of masks and social distancing caused by the Covid 19 virus. Stay safe! Don’t take a chance. Whether you believe the science or not, protect your friends and family. It’s the same old worst-case scenario we’ve all dealt with in the past.
Our WSRDSPOA Executive Board meeting was held via the internet. We found this to be a cost saving in Association travel expenditures. The board passed a provision that food would not be reimbursable to board members attending meetings. After all, they must eat anyway. It was a very productive meeting. Westside Board Member Brent Beden researched our contribution to the Team Rubicon and found them to be an upstanding organization. There was one problem. We voted at a past meeting to donate $2000 to Rubicon. Brent found that they not only are well funded they also pay their two top executives approximately $250,000 per year. The WSRDSPOA Executive Board felt that we are not in a position to continue donating past the $400 we have donated. A motion was made and passed.
I received a letter from Jim Adsley, the Vice President of the Retired Firefighters of Washington (RFFOW) questioning the lack of response to a recent questionnaire sent to every LEOFF I Retiree. While I find V.P. Adsley and his organization very active in dealing with the Washington State Legislature through the Select Committee on Pension Policy, I see no need to incorporate the WSRDSPOA and the RFFOW. I attended a “strategy meeting” with the RFFOW and several other retirement organization a few years ago and found the reason for the meeting was to seek assistance in funding yet another political lobbyist that the RFFOW had chosen. I chose not to be involved in spending our treasury in support of this endeavor. Now as in the past we have been involved with the LEOFF I Coalition for their lobbying efforts and have encouraged our membership to join the Coalition. Since the recent reorganization of the LEOFF I Coalition into a dues paying organization, they have opened up further possibilities in dealing with the legislature. Hopefully this will encourage a relationship with all LEOFF Organizations through open communications. We have always encouraged WSRDSPOA members to join additional law enforcement organizations if they wish.
I have been hacked with my e-mail for a second time. I claim age as my assistant. Both times someone used my email password to auto-forward requested gift card numbers to me after writing a message that I needed a favor. Friends have lost money never to be returned. I have since changed my passwords to solve the problem. BUT NOW under my old password they are threatening to show pornography supposedly from my computer. There is none and I don’t want any. I’m pretty much over the hill on those things.
Because of the shutdown it appears that the local meetings cannot be scheduled yet. Other meetings and the Convention dates will be decided later.
Thanks for being in the association. We need each other. Oh! Remember to check your dues payments. I’m told we will be removing members from our roster. Please remain on our membership list. We need each other.
Joe Dawson
President
Ed. Note. Our Association, WSRDSPOA, is not a political Association. Per our By-Laws, we are a social organization.
THE OLYMPIA REPORT
From the LEOFF 1 Coalition President
On the legislative front, there is not much to report since the last session wrapped up. The Governor however has been pretty vocal about the State’s financial status. Revenues are down and he is calling for cuts in spending to stop the bleeding. The Republican side wants a special session sooner than later and the Democrats are asking to delay until after mid-June when they receive an official budget forecast. Regardless of which side prevails in the debate, it is clear that revenues are down and expenses are not reduced enough to meet the budget imbalance. Consequently, we are waiting and watching to see what happens when the special session does get called. Naturally there is a concern that the legislature may once again look towards our pension funds for free money. The two best-funded retirement plans in the State are LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 respectively, which places all LEOFF members at potential risk. The recent media vilification of law enforcement adds to the threat. I know that Jerry Taylor of the Retired Seattle Police group and retired Seattle Fire Fighter Dick Warbrouck are also keeping an eye on the legislature and I hope they will step up to work with us collaboratively in the event the State makes another run at our LEOFF Pension Fund. I continue to hope that we will one day unite our organizations for the benefit of all LEOFF 1 retirees.
The LEOFF 1 Coalition sent out a mailing to all LEOFF 1 retirees via DRS in which we ask all of us to join together into a single coalesced association for the single purpose of having a united voice in Olympia at times like these. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL for the large and positive response to our membership drive and we THANK YOU for your support!! The response has been very reassuring thus far however I do get phone and email messages asking about the Coalition. There are a few groups who once belonged to the Coalition who went their own way some years ago, and who cast dispersions about us. For those who are not sure, here are some answers to questions I have been asked:
+ The Coalition was formed in 2000 to fight off the attack on our LEOFF 1 Retirement System. All the local organizations came together to form the Coalition at that time. Money was raised to file a lawsuit and we prevailed. Following that event, the local groups left the Coalition and it remained as a coalition of individual donors who had helped fund the legal action against the State and who continue to do so. The Coalition has now been in existence for 20 years.
+ The Coalition is a registered 501 C5 association.
+ The Coalition recognizes that LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 are two different retirement systems. Most retiree groups have combined LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 membership which makes complete sense for social groups of co-workers, but the Coalition represents LEOFF 1 exclusively in order to protect the differences in our respective systems.
+ The Coalition does not have monthly meetings or parties as it is not a social group, but we do have an annual meeting in Olympia that is open to the public and where one can receive our financial report information. Aside from the annual business meeting, we also hold special meetings when there are legislative or other actions to be discussed and considered. We put this information in our newsletters or on our website which is timelier. This year was different due to the pandemic and our annual business meeting was held by teleconference.
+ The Coalition is a membership organization. Annual dues are $60 per year or if more convenient, members can have $5 per month sent to us by DRS through payroll deduction. For those who cannot afford it, or for those who want to know more about us without offering financial support, you can become an Associate Member at no cost and still receive our newsletter or email notices about threats to our pension system. It is more important to us to be able to contact every LEOFF 1 recipient if our retirement fund is once again attacked. We use the dues to support our newsletters, website, contract lobbyist and attorney fees (if and/or when needed to defend our pension system). In the latter case, we will need to respond with ALL our voices!
+ The Coalition is also a support organization to help LEOFF 1 retirees, surviving spouses, and their families with any difficulties they might be having with their retirement benefits. You will find us listed on the Department of Retirement Systems website by clicking on the “Retirees Home” link and then clicking on “More Retiree Resources”.
+ None of the Coalition board members who are located around the State and who come from both the Fire and Law Enforcement sides of LEOFF 1 receive compensation. They volunteer their time and support.
Please do not hesitate to call me at 360-640-5217 if you have any questions at all about the Coalition. I would be happy to answer any questions or discuss your concerns.
Fraternally,
Bill Dickinson, President, LEOFF 1 Coalition.
A TRIBUTE TO
OUR FALLEN
Friday May 22, 2020, Seven of us went to Waverly WA, Cheney WA, Fairmont, Greenwood, Riverside and Holy Cross Cemeteries, Spokane Washington. We traveled 150 miles and placed 19 Roses and Blue Lives Matter flags, on the graves of the fallen Officers in Spokane County since 1886. We did a small ceremony at each grave site. Those in attendance were OIC, Capt Tracie Meidl, her daughter Emma, Susan and Bob Walker, Honor Squad Member Officer David Beckley and Rae Anna Victor. PIO Terry Prunniger and 3 Chaplin’s Met us at Greenwood. KHQ and KXLY were also there. This is a new tradition for the Spokane Police Dept and I have been assured that it will be carried on in the future years.
Bob Walker
FALLEN OFFICERS REMEMBERED
The Washington State Transportation Commission unanimously passed resolutions to honor two fallen officers, Trooper Thomas Hendrickson and Skagit County Sheriff’s Deputy Alan Hultgren. The request to rename portions of State Route 20 after the fallen was presented to the commission by Chief John R. Batiste, Washington State Patrol and Under-sheriff Chad Clark, Skagit County Sheriff’s Office.
This outcome was the culmination of the Fallen Heroes Project spearheaded by Skagit County Sheriff Don McDermott. The Fallen Heroes Project received support from various law enforcement agencies, fire departments, elected officials, and civic groups. Additionally, the Skagit Valley Herald ran a story regarding the proposed project and solicited public comment, which was overwhelmingly positive.
Signage will be added to State Route 20 in Trooper Hendrickson’s name from milepost 52 to 59 and Deputy Hultgren’s name from milepost 90 to 105. These men paid the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Skagit County and their sacrifices will be forever memorialized. A brief summary of their passing is as follows:
Trooper Thomas Hendrickson died on November 17, 1974, at the age of 31. Trooper Hendrickson was at the driver’s door of a vehicle he stopped eastbound on State Route 20, when he was struck and killed by a hit and run driver who had been traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. The hit and run driver was later arrested after troopers observed the vehicle pass through the collision scene. The driver’s blood alcohol was .12. At the time of his death, Trooper Hendrickson had served almost four years with the Washington State Patrol. He is survived by his wife Barbara and two sons, Steve and Mark.
Skagit County Deputy Alan Hultgren died on August 7, 1981, at the age of 30. Deputy Hultgren was responding to an injury collision when he was struck head-on by a drunk driver on State Route 20, approximately four miles west of Marblemount. At the time of his death, Deputy Hultgren had served four years with the Sheriff’s Department. He is survived by his wife Sherry and family.
A formal unveiling date has yet to be determined, and details will be shared once they are finalized.
Renaming sections of State Route 20 to remember fallen officers Trooper Thomas Hendrickson and Deputy Alan Hultgren will mean so much to their friends and family, and provide a way to acknowledge their ultimate sacrifice.
LEOSA GUIDELINES FOR RETIRED OFFICERS
The following was provided by, Steve Nelson – Law Enforcement Association of Southwest Washington
INTRODUCTION
The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), was enacted by Congress in 2004 as H.R. 218, and is still colloquially called by that designation, but that is no longer accurate. LEOSA was subsequently amended by S. 1132 in 2010 and by H.R. 4310 in 2013. Another amendment is currently pending in Congress as H.R. 1156. The correct name as stated in the law is the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act. 18 U.S.C. 926B applies to currently employed active officers and 18 U.S.C. 926C is the provision applicable to honorably retired or separated former officers.
LEOSA ID REQUIREMENTS FOR RETIRED OFFICERS
In order to meet the requirements of 18 U.S.C. 926C (d), a retired law enforcement officer must have in his/her possession the following:
1. Photo ID issued by the officer’s agency identifying the officer as a qualified retired law enforcement officer.
2. Certification that the retired officer has, within the last 12 months, met the firearm qualification standards of either, (a) the officer’s original agency of affiliation, or (b) the standard set by the state of current residence of the retired officer. If the state of residence has not set a specific qualification standard, then the standard set by a law enforcement agency within the state of current residence. This means that the annual certification MUST show the date of the qualification in order to establish currency.
3. The current firearm qualification certification must be for the same TYPE of firearm (revolver or semi-auto) that the retired officer carries. The annual qualification certificate MUST show that the officer is qualified with either/both semi-auto and/or revolver.
4. Note that while 18 U.S.C. 926C (c) specifies which retired or separated former law enforcement officers are eligible for LEOSA as “qualified retired law enforcement officers”, those provisions apply primarily to agencies, regulating which officers may be issued the appropriate photo ID designating them as such. An individual officer who meets the requirements must still obtain the appropriate photo ID from his/her agency in order to meet the LEOSA requirement. Agencies are not required by the LEOSA statute itself to issue the photo ID even if the retired or separated officer meets the LEOSA service criteria, although some states do have a separate provision requiring such issuance.
LEOSA LIMITATIONS FOR RETIRED OFFICERS
LEOSA supersedes most state and local statutes, regulations and ordinances concerning concealed firearms, but it has some limitations.
1. The owner of privately owned property may restrict or prohibit the carrying of firearms on that property. (Basically, you would be considered a trespasser if in violation of such a limitation. A notable example is Disneyland, which prohibits firearms.)
2. State or local governments may restrict or prohibit carrying of firearms on government owned property. This may include schools, government buildings, parks, stadiums, and transportation facilities such as light rail, buses, ferries, etc. (This might get you arrested.)
3. All federal law restrictions still apply, such as firearm possession prohibitions at federal government facilities including Post Offices, courthouses, airport secured areas, commercial aircraft, AMTRAK, etc. LEOSA provides no exceptions to the applicability of other federal laws limiting the carrying of firearms. This includes the federal Gun Free School Zone Act (18 U.S.C. 922(q)), which prohibits the possession of firearms on the premises or within 1,000 feet of a public or private elementary or secondary school. While that statute exempts active duty law enforcement personnel and holders of state-issued firearm permits, by definition it doesn’t include a retired officer carrying solely pursuant to LEOSA. It’s generally a good idea to have a state CCW permit as well as LEOSA carry.
4. The retired officer must not be under the influence of alcohol or other substances while carrying.
5. The retired officer must not be currently prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal laws.
6. Since LEOSA references concealed firearms, it probably does not include any firearm not legally “capable of being concealed”, meaning it would be limited to handguns. It specifically excludes NFA firearms. Open carrying is probably subject to state and local laws.
7. Some states have taken the position that while LEOSA allows the carrying of concealed firearms, state and local restrictions on magazine capacity still apply. Research those states and their policies before carrying what may be considered an illegal magazine there. H.R. 1156 would change this if it is enacted.
8. Some states also restrict the types of ammunition that may be possessed, such as hollow point bullet cartridges. 18 U.S.C. 926C (e)(1)(B) states that a qualified retired officer may carry any “ammunition not expressly prohibited by federal law or subject to the provisions of the National Firearms Act”, but it would be prudent to confirm the policy of any unfamiliar jurisdiction before doing so.
9. Certain states are not LEOSA friendly, like NY, NJ and HI to name a few. So, know before you go what problems you might encounter when carrying in other states.
SPECIAL NOTE: The LEOSA Reform Act of 2019 (H.R. 1156) would, among other things, allow qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry any handgun magazine authorized under federal law in any state or territory of the USA, regardless of any local restriction. This bill was introduced in February 2019 and has been pending in the House Judiciary Committee since March 2019, without any scheduled action.
For questions or additional information, contact Steve Nelson – Law Enforcement Association of Southwest Washington – LEASW218@gmail.com (360) 846-3535
BRUCE’S BOOK REVIEW
FBI Miami Firefight, Five Minutes that Changed the Bureau
by Edmundo & Elizabeth Mireles
There are very few of us who have worked in Law Enforcement over the past three and a half decades that haven’t heard of the 1986 incident in Miami where two FBI agents were killed, five others wounded (three critically) and both suspect’s criminal careers ultimately terminated at the scene. Anyone involved in law enforcement today is possibly at least aware that the type of handgun ammunition they carry is largely influenced by a testing protocol developed by the FBI in the aftermath of that shooting.
I probably fall generally into both of the above categories and so wasn’t in any particular rush to read it. So I had this book lying around a while before I finally picked it up one afternoon with the intent of reading the introduction and maybe start the first chapter. Once I started reading, I literally could not put it down.
Special Agent Ed Mireles is the man who ended the gunfight that spring morning in Miami so he can obviously put the sequence of events into personal perspective. In addition, Mireles’ next assignment with the Bureau, after he got out of the hospital, was to assist other investigators in meticulously reconstructing every detail of the incident and was therefore intimately aware of the crime scene reconstruction. Consequently, he is able to render the most complete picture of what happened that day, how it happened, and why it happened than any other person alive.
More than the description of the events leading up to the felony stop of two bank robbery suspects and the subsequent gun battle, what kept me from putting the book down was the way SA Mireles told the story. It was like he was talking directly to me. Not in a folksy, familiar way, but more like he was giving a roll call briefing (albeit a several hour briefing) to a small group of cops. It seemed personal.
Ed Mireles’ co-author is his wife, Elizabeth, who was also an FBI Special Agent. Anyone who has ever been involved in a violent confrontation knows there is an aftermath, and Elizabeth Mireles describes it without sugar coating it. That they ultimately got through this is a testament to both of their strengths.
Over the years, I’ve heard comments like “they took handguns to a rifle fight”, or “they blamed their poor marksmanship on their ammunition”. I have to admit that while reading the description of how the stakeout that morning was being initiated, I was starting to think that the process was maybe a little too casual. Then I remembered, in fairness, that was kind of how we did things back in the mid-eighties.
After absorbing all the descriptions, looking at the crime scene photos and diagrams, reviewing the autopsy details, etc. most of my preconceived notions about what went wrong that day have been put to rest. But there was one element that stood out, above all others, and that was the incredible courage demonstrated by those agents that morning, who continued to press the fight under intense close range semi-automatic rifle fire, to its ultimate conclusion.
You need to read this one.
RBO
DONATION
Two years ago, at the 2018 Annual Convention an organization called “Team Rubicon” put on an information presentation. That presentation convinced the membership to recommend donation funds to support this organization. A proposal to donate $2,000.00 was passed by the Executive Board. At last year’s Annual Convention (2019), the Treasurer reported that we simply did not have sufficient funds to make that $2,000 donation. The Board then decided to change the donation to $200 per year for 10 years; amounting to the same $2000 donation.
Prior to today’s Executive Board meeting, our Treasurer, Jim Hill sent out a ‘financial report’ and a ‘cost to income comparison’. It became apparent to me that our Association needs to cut costs if we are to remain solvent without another, dues increase. The last thing we need is a dues increase; so I decided to do some investigation into Team Rubicon. I looked them up on an internet site called “Charity Navigator.” Charity Navigator is a highly reliable non-profit that analyzes different charities and non-profits to see if they are following the rules, are reliable, are efficient and have reasonable cost of operations.
The short version of my findings are: Team Rubicon is a highly reliable, rule following, efferent organization. Regarding their funding; they are well funded, in fact they have over 29 million dollars in net assets. All of this information is based on 2018 data. They took in 43 million and spent 40 million on programs; they have only a 13.8% admin cost (which is good). The most negative thing I found, and its big – is that the top two executives make over $242,000 & 248,000 each.
Team Rubicon has nothing whatsoever to do with law enforcement. The WSRDSPOA is a registered ‘Business Association’, basically fraternal. The Board is charged with having a fiduciary responsibility to safeguard your dues payment and use them appropriately. It is my opinion that even though Team Rubicon is a meritorious organization, the WSRDSPOA has no business contribution our scant funds to support their mission.
The Board spent a significant amount of time considering various cost savings at our meeting. One of those was a vote to discontinue support to Team Rubicon. Another, was to utilize “Zoom” for as many Board Meeting as possible, thus eliminating any travel related expense reimbursements for Board Members. Similarly, other Board expenses were eliminated and others will be evaluated in the future.
I know that some of you supported the donation, spending Association funds to support another group with no relationship to law enforcement in general and the WSRDSPOA in particular is not appropriate.
If anyone would like to discuss this issue, please feel free to send me an email.
Brent Beden
West Side Member at Large
AROUND THE BEAT
Deaths
Justin R. Schaffer, Washington State Patrol, Trooper, EOW 24 March 2020
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Trooper Justin R. Schaffer #646, who died in the line of duty this afternoon. Not only is this a time of enormous grief for our agency, but for his family and the community whom he served.
Justin passed away today, March 24, 2020, at the age of 28 after serving 7 years with the State Patrol. Justin was fatally struck by a vehicle when placing spike strips down on Interstate 5 in Chehalis. He is survived by his wife, Sandra, his mother and father Sheila and Glenn and his brother Brandon, and his K9 partner Frankie.
Our hearts go out to this grieving family and we recognize the unique sacrifice this family has offered as Justin’s father, Glenn, is currently the Chief of Police in the city of Chehalis.
Justin was born on January 30, 1992, in Glenwood Springs, CO. He graduated from Adna High School in Adna, Washington. Justin received a degree in Criminal Justice from Centralia College.
He began working for the Washington State Patrol on November 12, 2013, as a Trooper Cadet assigned to the Property Management Division.
On January 13, 2014, Justin started his training with the 27th Arming Class. On February 14, 2014, Justin continued his training with the 103rd Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on September 16, 2014, assigned to Morton. On September 1, 2016, Justin was assigned as a certified Drug Recognition Expert. On November 10, 2018, Justin completed K9 training and was a certified K9 handler to his partner “Frankie.” On December 13, 2018, Justin transferred to Chehalis.
Kurt Enget. Kurt Enget, 49, of Port Orchard, passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2020, at Harrison Medical Center. Kurt was born in Bremerton, WA to Chuck and Sandy Enget. He grew up in Port Orchard and graduated from South Kitsap High School. Kurt was preceded in death by his father and is survived by his mother.
At the age of 16, Kurt began working at Port Orchard Safeway where he was employed for 18 yrs. Kurt married his best friend Yevette in 1999. In 2005, Kurt left Safeway to pursue a career in law enforcement. For 10 years, Kurt was an officer for the Suquamish Police Department. While he thoroughly enjoyed his time as a Suquamish officer, in 2015 he chose to join the Bainbridge Island Police Dept where he was still employed. In 2019, Kurt became a K-9 officer with his bloodhound partner Officer Whitney. Kurt was a significant part of not only his home town but the community of Suquamish and Bainbridge Island.
When not at work, Kurt was a family man. In his free time, Kurt enjoyed being goofy with his wife, kids, friends and especially with his two granddaughters. Kurt was excited about being a new Grandpa. He always looked forward to spending time with his family and watching his granddaughters grow up.
Kurt is survived by his wife of 21 years, Yevette of Port Orchard; son Jarrid and daughter-in-law Marissa Pickard of Port Orchard; daughter Shyrel and son-in-law Evan Levenseller of Port Orchard; son Kyler Enget of Port Orchard; two grandchildren Hallie and Emersyn; sister Danette and brother-in-law Dave O’Connell; one niece Megan of Port Orchard; and last but not least, Officer Whitney.
Hugh Spencer. Hugh, 87, retired from Kent PD. He began his law enforcement career in Ventura, CA after returning from the Korean War. He moved to Washington and joined the Kent PD in 1963 where he served as Chief of Detectives before going out on disability in 1972. His retirement years were full of a variety of endeavors with the latest one being in charge of security on the property that became Suncadia Resort in CleElum/Roslyn. We enjoyed adventures in our 5th wheel traveling to all the states in the continental U.S. and parts of Canada. He was the proud father of a daughter and two step-daughters and a step-son, plus a very proud grandfather to five boys and a girl.
Raydon (Ray) C. Stavig. Ray retired as a Lieutenant from Spokane County SO. On April 14, 2020, Ray Stavig peacefully passed away due to complications associated with his long debilitating battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Ray was born in Britton, South Dakota in 1936. He moved to Spokane with his parents, Elmer and Elsie, during World War II where they hoped for a better life working in the wartime defense industry. He grew up on Spokane’s north side attending Hamilton Elementary School and John R. Rogers High School. Ray enlisted in the Marine Corps and attained the rank of Sergeant. Ray’s values lead him into law enforcement where he was hired as a deputy sheriff by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. He would rise through the ranks and eventually retire as a Lieutenant after 32 years of service. Ray is survived by his wife, Janelle; sister, Shari; daughter, Lori; sons, Kier and Kraig; grandchildren, Ashley, Katie, Kelsey, and Emily, great-grandchildren, and numerous other family members. Ray was preceded in death by his father, Elmer; mother Elsie; and sister Lorraine.
Norman (Steve) Stephen Beets. Steve retired from King County SO, he passed away on May 17 at the age of 59. Steve was born on December 12, 1960, in Anacortes, to Norman and Ricky Beets. He graduated from Anacortes High School an all-star athlete, and went on to live an adventurous life.
After graduating from Western Washington University with a BA in Criminal Justice, he traveled to Italy to play American football for the national team. In 1987, he joined the King County Sheriff’s Office, where he led a storied career as a police officer in White Center and Burien.
Later in his career he worked as a school resource officer at Evergreen High School, where he taught classes on criminal justice. Behind a tough and dark-humored facade, Steve was a kind and generous man. He co-founded the PAL boxing program in White Center, and coached for the White Center Sounders, a youth soccer league.
In 2005, he received an Exceptional Service Award for Heroism and Bravery from the National Association of School Resource Officers. In 2011 and 2012 Steve traveled to Sakhalin, Russia for a training exchange with the local police force.
He spent his final days enjoying retirement on the shores of Boca Chica, the Dominican Republic, his second home.
Steve was preceded in death by his sister, Karen. He is survived by his parents Norman and Ricky, his children, Brianne and Travis, his siblings Kathy and Scott, and his niece, Carlie.
A memorial will be held in August, details to be confirmed.
Myra Beard. Myra passed away on May 18, she was the wife of retired King County Captain John Beard. She died of natural causes after a long struggle with heart and kidney failure. She always enjoyed her association with her cop friends at Association meetings, 5 months in Yuma with the gang and camping on the Snake and Columbia rivers. She rode shotgun with John for 56 years.
Murray Board. Murray retired as a Lieutenant on the Auburn Police Department in 1986. Murray passed away on May 25.
Jim Morrow. Jim retired from Spokane County SO. He was a canine handler until his retirement. Jim passed away on June 7 after a long battle with cancer. His wife Dawn is the secretary of our Association.
Vic Painter & Karen. Vic, a retired WSP Trooper and his companion, Karen, passed away one day apart from complications of COVID-19. Vic passed away on March 28 at the age of 86.
Larry J. Reid. Larry, retired Trooper from WSP, passed away on March 29. Larry served the citizens of Washington for 24 years.
Franklin (Bruce) Baker. Bruce retired as a Deputy Chief for WSP in 1988. Bruce passed away on June 23
Robert (Bob) Bair. Bruce was a retired WSP Captain. He was with WSP for over 33 years. Bruce passed away on June 24.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Joe Dawson, President: jsdawson@comcast.net (C) (206) 817-8376 (H) (425) 392-4361
Ronnie Johnston, West Side Vice President: r7t9@aol.com (206) 595-6819
Don McCabe, Vice President East Side & Website Administrator: don.mccabe41@gmail.com (509) 951-0399
Dawn Morrow, Secretary: queencat13@aol.com (C) (509) 928-7182 (H) 509 464-9773
Jim Hill, Treasurer: wsrdspoa@gmail.com (509) 362-2025
Zbig Kasprzyk, West Side Executive Board Member: zkkasprzyk@gmail.com (206) 818-7476
Brent Beden, West Side Executive Board Member: brent.beden@comcast.net (C) (206) 550-2809
Dennis Hooper, East Side Board Member: derickson024@gmail.com (C) (509) 496-0110 (H) (509) 255-9156
Doug Partlow, East Side Executive Board Member: dougpart@aol.com (C) (509) 406-1017
Zbig Kasprzyk, Hot Sheet Editor: zkkasprzyk@gmail.com (206) 818-7476