Thoughts and prayers with the officers family

[MSwift]

Brief bios of the 4 police officers slain at a surburban coffee shop

The Associated Press
4:23 PM MST, November 30, 2009

A look at the four police officers who were slain at a suburban coffee shop on Sunday:

Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39

Renninger was described as a cop's cop: A tough guy who excelled at his job and was regarded as a leader and teacher in the close-knit Lakewood police force.

"He was the most competent and tactically proficient man I ever knew in police work. I do not say this because he was killed and that is something you should say," Lakewood police union president Brian Wurts said. "Everyone in our department and all who knew Mark know this was true."

Relatives said Renninger, who grew up in Bethlehem, Pa., came to Washington state through military service. The East Coast native was blunt-spoken but "never belittled anyone," Wurts said.

"Mark had that spark that made you like him and respect him. He was truly a rock in our department, someone you always counted on," Wurts wrote.

The union said Renninger was married with three children.

___

Officer Tina Griswold, 40

Her sister, Tiffiny Ryan, said Griswold liked to cook, ride her dirt bike and was a certified diver.

"My worst nightmare has come true," Ryan told reporters on Monday. "I can't tell you how painful it is to lose my sister."

Griswold knew she wanted to be a police officer by the time she finished high school, a weeping Ryan said.

Their father is a retired police officer, while their mother was an administrative assistant at the Washington Supreme Court, Ryan said.

Tina Griswold began working in law enforcement as a dispatcher in Shelton, then became a police officer in Shelton and Lacey before going to work in Lakewood five years ago, Ryan said.

Griswold also has a 21-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son, Ryan said.

___

Officer Ronald Owens, 37

Relatives said Owens — known to friends and family as Ronnie — was a lifelong resident of Parkland, the Tacoma suburb where he was killed. The police union said Owens has a daughter.

Wurts said Owens' fun-loving personality "made everyone around him feel positive."

He "was the laid-back, dirt-bike-riding, surfer-hair-having cop you would always want at a party or with you on any call," Wurts said. "Though he had a laid-back perspective, he was sharp and an extremely dedicated and hard worker."

Owens was a Washington State Patrol trooper from 1997 until 2004, when he left to join the Lakewood police, Patrol Chief John Batiste said.

"While we have many ranks and honors that we offer for exemplary service, the most coveted honor is to simply be respected by your colleagues as 'a good troop,'" Batiste said. "Ron Owens was most definitely a good troop."

___

Officer Greg Richards, 42

Richards liked nothing better than spending time with his wife Kelly and three children, the union president said.

Richards enjoyed music in his spare time, playing drums in a rock band that performed this summer at a charity event for a hospitalized fellow-officer.

Richards was liked by everyone he met, sister-in-law Melanie Burwell said. Even though the family knew his job could be dangerous, his death was a shock, she said.

___

[cwaybrown]

Very sad, my thoughts and prayers go out.

[Boa Amarali]

I was just discussing this with someone. The scumbag was pedophile (S.O.)
who was then aloud out on bail from my understanding
and killed those 4 officers.

Thank goodness they gunned the S.O.B. down this morning
too late for the 4 officers though !

My prayers are with the families of the officers

[bebowebb]

A couple of other officers and I were sitting in a restaurant area of a conventient store this morning talking about this horrible incident.

To lose another officer in the line of duty is always a horrible situation to deal with and of course it brings several emotions. But, to lose someone in such a cowardly, ambush-style attack brings a level of anger that is almost unparalleled.

I carry this poem in my wallet and have instructed my wife to have it placed on my head stone whenever my time comes to leave this world... figured I would share it now...

"Just Reward"

The police officer stood and faced his maker,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, police officer,
How should I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To your maker have you been true?"

The police officer, with squared shoulders, said
"No sir, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was rough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are tough.

But I've never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep,
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, please forgive me,
I've went unmanly tear.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

But if you have a place for me here,
Well, it need not be too grand,
I never expected or had to much,
So if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the roome
Where the saints respectfully stood.
As the police officer waited quietly,
For the judgement, bad or good.

"Step forward now police officer,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."


May the good Lord accept my fallen brothers and sisters into His kingdom and stand beside their friends and families until it is time to joint them together again.

[zamora]

bebowebb--that was a beautifully touching tribute and I shed more than one tear reading it.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the fallen officers.

[MSwift]

bebo that was amazing man thanks for that

[DIRTY SHOOTER]

I'm ashamed this happened in my city.

My condolences to the fallen officers' families, friends and co-workers.

It's uneasy times right now in Seattle and Tacoma. There is a tension between the Police force and it's citizens. I hope we can past this and heal before there is anymore violence.

[jvarner]

That is a nice poem Bebo! Thanks for sharing. My heart goes out to all their family's.