(Washington, D.C.) –
Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell introduced the “Washington
State Law Enforcement Memorial Resolution,” a resolution honoring Washington
State law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty in
2009. Murray and Cantwell both went to the floor of the Senate today to honor
and commemorate the seven Washington state police officers who lost their lives
in the line of duty in 2009.
“I am proud to join
today with Senator Cantwell during National Police Week to introduce the
Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial Resolution to extend the condolences
of the Senate to the families, loved ones, and communities of our state’s
fallen heroes,” said Senator Patty
Murray on the floor of the Senate. “Each of these tragedies sheds new
light on the enormity of the sacrifices police officers make every day in
Washington state and across the country. My thoughts and prayers
continue to be with their families. And I join their communities, Washington
state, and the entire nation in my gratitude for their service.”
“2009
was the deadliest year for law enforcement in my state in more than 70 years,” said Senator
Maria Cantwell on the floor of the Senate. “Seven officers were killed
in the line of duty in 2009. These heroes, who put their lives at risk for our
safety every day, will be deeply missed and never forgotten. The men and women
in blue keep our communities safe. They make tremendous sacrifices
daily. And so do their families. I am honored to join my colleague,
Senator Murray, in extending my prayers and condolences to the families, loved
ones and fellow officers of all fallen police officers.”
* Audio and video of
the Senators’ speeches are available upon request *
The full text of the
resolution follows
OFFICIAL TITLE AS
INTRODUCED: A resolution honoring Washington State law enforcement officers who
gave their lives in the line of duty in 2009
SHORT TITLE: Washington
State Law Enforcement Memorial Resolution
RESOLUTION: Commemorating
and celebrating the lives of Deputy Sheriff Stephen Michael Gallagher Jr.,
Officer Timothy Q. Brenton, Officer Tina G. Griswold, Officer Ronald Wilbur
Owens II, Sergeant Mark Joseph Renninger, Officer Gregory James Richards, and
Deputy Sheriff Walter Kent Mundell Jr. who gave their lives in the service of
the people of Washington State in 2009.
Whereas law enforcement
officers throughout Washington State conduct themselves in a manner that
supports, maintains, and defends the Constitution of the United States and the
Constitution of the State of Washington;
Whereas law enforcement
officers throughout the Nation and in Washington State risk their own lives to
protect the lives of others;
Whereas since 1791, 20,146
law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States
and 270 of these officers served the people of Washington State;
Whereas in 2009, 126 law
enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States;
Whereas in 2009, Deputy
Sheriff Stephen Michael Gallagher Jr. of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office,
Officer Timothy Q. Brenton of the Seattle Police Department, Officer Tina G.
Griswold of the Lakewood Police Department, Officer Ronald Wilbur Owens II of
the Lakewood Police Department, Sergeant Mark Joseph Renninger of the Lakewood
Police Department, Officer Gregory James Richards of the Lakewood Police
Department, and Deputy Sheriff Walter Kent Mundell Jr. of the Pierce County
Sheriff’s Department gave their lives in the service of the people of
Washington State;
Whereas the family members
and friends of Deputy Sheriff Stephen Michael Gallagher Jr., Officer Timothy Q.
Brenton, Officer Tina G. Griswold, Officer Ronald Wilbur Owens II, Sergeant
Mark Joseph Renninger, Officer Gregory James Richards, and Deputy Sheriff
Walter Kent Mundell Jr. bear the most immediate and profound burden of the
absence of their loved ones;
Whereas National Police
Week is observed from May 9 to May 15, 2010, and is the most appropriate time
to honor the Washington State law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives
in service to their State and Nation:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate
extends its condolences to the families and loved ones of Deputy Sheriff
Stephen Michael Gallagher Jr., Officer Timothy Q. Brenton, Officer Tina G.
Griswold, Officer Ronald Wilbur Owens II, Sergeant Mark Joseph Renninger,
Officer Gregory James Richards, and Deputy Sheriff Walter Kent Mundell Jr., and
stands with solidarity with the people of Washington State as they celebrate
the lives, and mourn the loss of these remarkable and selfless heroes who
represented the best of their community and whose memory will serve as an
inspiration for future generations.
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