Updated Nov 6, 2009 - 6:16 pm

Procession, memorial pays respect to Officer Brenton

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• Photos: Honoring Officer Timothy Brenton
  
• Listen to the memorial (part 1)
  
• Listen to the memorial (part 2)
  
• Photos of suspect vehicle in officer murder released
  

Slain Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton was remembered as a father, brother, husband, friend, teacher and hero at a public memorial service at KeyArena.

Thousands of officers from around the Northwest attended Friday's ceremony, which followed a procession of hundreds of cars with lights flashing through the city.

"As I reflect on the evening of October 31, I see a man of quiet dignity and virtue possessed of a desire to serve and protect, engaged in the most noble of human endeavors. He was teaching. That is what we remember today," said Deputy Chief Clark Kimerer in his opening statement at the ceremony.

Officer Brenton was shot and killed as he sat in his patrol car Halloween night with Officer Brit Sweeney. Brenton was making a traffic stop.

"Officer Timothy Brenton was a man worth knowing," said Interim Chief of Police John Diaz, before talking about Brenton's history as a police officer and about his civilian life. "The expression of love that he found, his wife Lisa, his daughter Kayleigh, his son Quinn, probably might be his greatest contribution. His greatest mark as a man, as a husband, as a father."

Officials in attendance included Gov. Chris Gregoire, Sen. Patty Murray, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and former police Chief Gil Kerlikowske.

"Timothy is a home grown hero. He didn't set out to be a hero and Lisa tells me he would be a little chagrined at the fuss we're making about him today. A little chagrined, but very, very proud," said Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.

Nickels thanked the 1,300 police officers serving the city of Seattle. "That means that there are about 1,300 families who, each day, say goodbye to their loved one and don't know whether they might not get that awful call that the Brenton family got last Saturday.

"Our police officers are our city's most visible public servants. They are dedicated and they do an excellent job day in and day out and I want to thank you for that service," said Nickels.

With a shaky voice, Governor Gregoire said, "Mike and I want to personally express our condolences to Officer Brenton's family. She added, "As Officer Brenton demonstrated, putting on the uniform is an act of courage every day, every time."

Honor guards with bagpipes, drums and flags took part in the ceremony.

Memorial service program of events:

Welcome - Deputy Chief Clark Kimerer
Posting of Colors - Regional Honor Guard
U.S. National Anthem - Seattle Police Women's Trio
Canadian National Anthem - Seattle Police Women's Trio
Invocation - Chaplain John Oas
Interim Chief of Police John Diaz
Mayor Greg Nickels
Governor Christine Gregoire
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy R. Gil Kerlikowske
I Will Remember You - Seattle Police Women's Trio
Officer Evan Ehring
Officer Eugene Schubeck
Jennifer Crigger, Sister-in-Law
Video Presentation
Amazing Grace - Seattle Police Women's Trio
Benediction - Chaplain John Oas
Retiring of Colors and Recessional

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• JSuey wrote...

  Boo Hoo Hoo. Bad Traffic.

  My condolences to those who got stuck in traffic because unselfish members of the community wanted to pay their respect to a fallen officer. Most people hate the police up until they need them, until then, they think they only write tickets. Do you really believe that if there weren't police officers out there that everyone would just do the right thing and respect each others rights and property? We need the police to protect us from each other and should all take the time to respect them.

  November 6, 2009 1:43 pm

  121319

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• wwujw wrote...

  jacinto....

  Jacinto, I understand your frustration and concern. However, while everyone who dies doing a dangerous job should be honored, it is different being a police officer. Let me give you this example. What happens if teachers go on strike? Kids don't learn..right? What happens if loggers strike and don't want to chop wood anymore? Alot of bad things can happen but now compare..what would happen if police officers went on strike? The moment that news went out, can you even guess what would happen? Instead of me telling you, I want you to post what you think would happen. Go ahead and call 911 while someone robs you, breaks into your house or assaults you. Now do you understand why this is such a big deal? Police officers are first responders to critical incidents. The line that keeps order in place from surrendering to social disorganization or chaos. Please respect the tradition and procession with this loss. Until you have walked in the shoes of a firefighter or police officer, you don't have room to judge.

  November 6, 2009 1:46 pm

  121322

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• doubleogordo wrote...

  Its Tradition.

  What is wrong with the fact that this is just they way it is done? this is how fallen police officers are honored. It is tradition.

  November 6, 2009 1:54 pm

  121329

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• jacinto wrote...

  @wwujw

  i am not frustrated at all. i just think the worth our city is placing on police officers is misguided. if we are going to shut down the city for police, we should do the same for fallen loggers, fishermen, construction workers, the tuba man, and so on. all of these jobs are equally worthy professions in my mind. people who sign up for any of these jobs understand that they are risky. except for tuba man. usually playing the tuba is safe. but not in Seattle I guess. cops are too busy doing stings at deja vu, or at the grab n go to protect normal citizens.

  November 6, 2009 2:07 pm

  121333

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• Sam Sasquatch wrote...

  ITS UNFORTUNATE

  that we can't honor every member of our military that has been killed in this way. If it was in my power, we would. AJ, there are small towns all across this country that do shut down their main streets to honor their dead and no one complains about it.

  November 6, 2009 2:12 pm

  121335

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• AJ McCarrell wrote...

  You Just Don't Understand...Until You Need Them LOL!

  To D-Leon and wwujw.... Yes, the police officers ARE the first responders to such incidents as breakins, etc. They call 2 hours later to see if you still need help. Sometimes I've needed police help and they've been very responsive. More often though, they just act putout that they have to respond to someone cutting your phone lines and breaking into your house. I used to work on Hilltop and had a gun pulled on me. The cop showed up 1 hour later and said they knew who it was but were waiting for him to do something more serious, like kill someone. Eventually, the guy did kill someone and I volunteered to identify him and the officer never returned my calls. I get sick of the "until you need them" argument because I have needed them and it's hit or miss as to whether or not anything gets done. You seem to act like we've never called the cops before, but the reason we make this argument is because we have. Granted, I've only had problems with the Tacoma and Pierce County police force. Snohomish County has always been responsive and the Seattle Officers seem nice. But, that still doesn't translate into why this guy needs a parade when we protest our soldiers around here.

  November 6, 2009 2:15 pm

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• D-Leon wrote...

  Jacinto Doesn't Get It....Not Worth It

  He clearly doesn't get it, doesn't understand or just looking for a reaction out of people. Most who have a measurable amount of compassion would understand. He's not worth anymore attention in my opinon.

  November 6, 2009 2:18 pm

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• Sam Sasquatch wrote...

  PLUS

  I look at it as a way to honor all that have died in service to this country and this state, regardless if they were in the military or public service.

  November 6, 2009 2:20 pm

  121339

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• jacinto wrote...

  @d-leon

  you are correct. i don't get it. i don't get how tuba man gets assassinated and his killers get a slap on the wrist.

  November 6, 2009 2:43 pm

  121345

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• D-Leon wrote...

  Re: AJ Comments

  Don’t let some instances ruin departments overall. AJ I’ve been wrongfully jailed with no apology. I’ve been pulled over for no reason and was referred to as “boy” during my whole encounter by a Police Officer. I can understand where there were situations you feel underserved but blame the laws for those unique situations that may limit those Officers. Don’t let a few bad apples ruin an entire organization. I say the phrase of “You Don’t Understand, Until You Need Them” from my own experience and those of my peers during my adolescence. In my adulthood and time served during the Persian Gulf War, I’ve seen firsthand what heroism is about and the selfish acts of brutality. You’re right in some comments but respectfully disagree with some others.

  November 6, 2009 2:47 pm

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