The Seattle PD Needs our Prayers

Jimmy Wattles forwarded the following message to me this morning reference the murder and wounding Seattle officers. I felt led to get it out right away. Please keep SPD and the families of our deceased brother in your prayers. Outstanding behavior by the wounded officer! She will need some time and healing to deal with this -- and she needs our Lord and godly men/women to come along side her.

This happened in Seattle on Saturday Night, October 31, 2009. Strictly an ambush at this point.

MESSAGE FROM SEATTLE CHIEF DIAZ...
Subject: Fwd: Murder and attempted murder of fellow officers
John Diaz 11/1/2009 2:37 PM >>>

It is with profound sadness that I must inform you that one of our ownwas killed in the line of duty last night. Officer Timothy Brenton, a Field Training Officer assigned to Third Watch, East Precinct, was shot to death while he and his student, Officer Brit Sweeney, were parked in their patrol car in the 100 Block of 29th Avenue last night shortly after 10:00 p.m. The investigation thus far has shown that Officers Brenton and Sweeney had just completed a traffic stop and were discussing the stop as part of Officer Sweeney's training. Their patrol car was parked facing southbound in the 100 Block of 29th Avenue on the west side of the street. Officer Sweeney was in the driver's seat; Officer Brenton was in the front passenger seat. As they were discussing training, a vehicle, described as a light-colored small car, also travelling southbound, pulled up next to the patrol vehicle. The suspect(s) opened fire upon the officers. The bullets went by Officer Sweeney's head, grazing her in the back of the neck and tearing her uniform shirt and vest. Bullets struck Officer Brenton in the head, killing him. The suspect vehicle then backed up northbound on 29thAvenue and made a three-point turn before fleeing north. OfficerSweeney was able to exit the patrol car and return fire at the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle may have been struck. Officer Sweeney was able to get on the air and summon additional officers to the scene. Officer Sweeney's performance was exemplary under the most stressful and horrific call imaginable. There was a massive response from all points of the city and beyond. Patrol, detectives, the Hospital Response Team all responded and provided support for officers and the families. Information is being developed as to possible suspect(s). SPD Homicide detectives are responsible for this investigation. There is no other way to describe what occurred last night to Officers Brenton and Sweeney other than this was a deliberate act of murder. We have all the resources of the Department working on this investigation, and will not stop until we have those responsible answer for this heinous crime. We owe it to Officers Brenton and Sweeney, their families, and ourselves. Officer Brenton was 39 years old and a 9-year veteran of the Department at the time of his death. He leaves behind a wife and two children. Funeral arrangements are being developed in the Seattle Police Operations Center and more information will be forthcoming. This is a profound tragedy and shock to our senses. We will take the time to grieve, reflect, and honor our lost brother. The Department's Crisis Incident Stress Management Team will be available for those who request it. Please take care of yourselves and others around you.

John Diaz, Interim Police Chief

Let's be in prayer folks!