Offering frequent news and analysis from the majestic Evergreen State and beyond, The Cascadia Advocate is the Northwest Progressive Institute's unconventional perspective on world, national, and local politics.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Cantwell, Murray honor slain Lakewood officers on Senate floor

Earlier today, Washington's two United States Senators appeared on the floor of the Senate to remember and honor the four officers who were killed on Sunday in an appalling act of destruction.

Murray, who spoke first, repeatedly called the slayings senseless, and noted that they came on the heels of an ambush in Seattle on Halloween which resulted in the death of one Seattle police officer and injury to another.

"Mr. President, because of this senseless attack, nine children have lost their parents," Murray said. "These were officers... mothers and fathers... husbands and wives... who woke up every day, put on their uniforms and went out to protect our children, our communities and our safety. And Sunday, they didn’t come home."

She concluded: "No words are adequate to express the shock, anger and disbelief that comes with such a brutal crime. And no words will be enough to lessen the loss. Our law enforcement professionals put themselves between us and danger every day. Right now, in light of such horrible events, we hold them even closer in our thoughts and prayers." (Listen to the entire speech).

Senator Cantwell followed, saying, "I rise today to join my colleague Senator Murray in expressing my sorrow over a tragedy that has struck Washington state and the law enforcement community. I want to extend my prayers and condolences to the families, loved ones, and fellow officers of the four police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty Sunday morning in Lakewood, Washington."

She named the four officers and added, "Collectively, these veteran officers served 47 years in the line of duty. Lakewood Police Chief Bret Farrar describes them as 'outstanding individuals' who brought a range of talents to the five-year-old department. These heroes, who put their lives at risk for our safety every day, will be deeply missed and never forgotten."

Kudos to our Senators for making time to reflect on this tragedy. It is comforting to know that the people who represent us in our nation's capitol are so closely attuned to what is happening back here in the Other Washington.

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