Finding cop killers faster with "Blue Alert"

Washington State Patrol officials investigate the scene where a state trooper making a routine traffic stop was shot and killed early Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, in Gorst, Wash. A bill in the state legislature for a BLUE Alert system would send out a warning when a law enforcement officer is injured or killed, similar to the Amber Alert. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The murder of Washington State Trooper Tony Radulescu early Thursday has put renewed attention on tracking and apprehending suspects who attack law enforcement officers.

Renee Maher says she only has one thought when she hears that a police officer has been shot: "Did they get the guy?"

Maher is the executive director of COMPAS, The Council of Metropolitan Police and Sheriffs. She is also the widow of slain Federal Way Police Officer Patrick Maher.

Listen to Renee Maher, executive director of COMPAS, on the BLUE Alert bill

"It makes you sick, because you realize that this person will do whatever it takes to get away from police officers. They will kill anyone they come into contact with. You sit there on the edge of your seat until you find out this person has been caught."

Maher says there is currently a bill in Olympia to create a 'Blue Alert' system that would send out a warning when a law enforcement officer is injured or killed, similar to the Amber Alert--where law enforcement agencies cooperate with news outlets, wireless companies, and social media to get instant information about child abduction cases.

First reported by Linda Thomas, aka KIRO's News Chick:

Washington is considering a Blue Alert system to immediately put out information about suspects when a police officer is missing, injured or killed in the line of duty.

The Blue Alert would be a "quick response system designed to issue and coordinate alerts following an attack upon a law enforcement officer." As with Amber Alerts, which are only posted when police suspect a child is in danger, the Blue Alerts would be used when a suspect has not been apprehended and is considered a serious threat to the public.

The legislation comes from Mike Hope, a 44th District Representative and Seattle Police Officer.

"Since this would use the existing system, there would be very little, if any, cost to operate it," Hope says. "Getting information out about an immediate threat in our neighborhoods will save lives. The criminals who harm law enforcement officers won't think twice about harming average citizens. These are usually the most dangerous and violent criminals. This is about protecting our cities, counties and state."

Renee Maher says when a suspect is on the run, a specific description, car information, etc. would be quickly distributed through the Blue Alert to rally every level of law enforcement and the public to find the person.

"We will never know if something like this would have helped (Trooper Radulescu), but the reality is, we need to use all the tools available to keep our community safe and to keep our officers safe."

The Blue Alert (HB 1820) is now in the Ways and Means Committee in the State House in Olympia. Maher says there's a nationwide movement to get similar legislation passed in all 50 states.

--Producer Libby Denkmann