Updated Nov 6, 2009 - 6:16 pm
Procession, memorial pays respect to Officer Brenton
Comments | 
Print this | 
E-mail this | 
MyNorthwest.com
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
- Visitors spent $14B in last year in Washington
- Washington Senate passes bill sparked by flooding concerns
- Police round up Crips in Tacoma gang sweep
- Alaska Air resumes serving Coca-Cola on flights
- Gov't tries anew to detain exec before trial
- Seahawks CEO: Paul Allen cancer tests encouraging
- Sen. Benton's campaign against Murray to focus on jobs
- Bremerton nursing home employees fired over nude photos
- Olympics torch visits U.S. at Peace Arch
- Seattle welcomes Hard Rock Cafe
