Gov. Gregoire announced an operational review on Dec. 30 to discuss the police officer murders in Lakewood and Seattle. I had the honor and privilege to attend the Lakewood Officers’ memorial at the Tacoma Dome on Dec. 8.
I listened intently while Gov. Gregoire spoke to the families. She said, “We owe the children of these officers — all nine of them — a present and a future that is safe and secure.” These words made me think of Jolin Lowry, the widow of Tacoma Police Officer William Lowry, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Aug. 28, 1997.
For several years, Jolin Lowry has tried to get the Legislature to change the law as it relates to death benefits for the widows and orphans of first responders. This includes all police and firefighters. Mrs. Lowry testified before the House and Senate the past two sessions asking for a change in the law, which currently would financially penalize their child if Mrs. Lowry were to re-marry. The law forces families to choose between the financial security of their children and moving forward with their lives. For some, like Jolin Lowry, the choice has been the financial future of their child.
I have a suggestion for the Operational Review Committee: Start by getting the Legislature and the governor to pass the First Responders Widows and Orphans Bill (2009-HB1212). As Gov. Gregoire said in Tacoma, “The sacrifice made by law enforcement will not be forgotten.”
It has been an extremely difficult year for law enforcement families throughout Washington — the deaths of the Lakewood officers, added to the deaths of Seattle Officer Timothy Brenton and Deputy Stephen (Mike) Gallagher of the Lewis County Sherriff’s Office. Combined, they have left our state with five widows, one widower and 13 children who lost a parent. Isn’t it time to secure a future for these families?
Dale L. Miller
Chief of Police
Ellensburg
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