After reading state Rep. John Lovick’s tribute to Edmonds Police Chief Al Compaan, I felt compelled to add my appreciation as well.
I met Chief Compaan in 2001 when I was interviewing for a position at Shoreline Community College as a criminal justice professor. He was part of the hiring committee. I was hired, but as my law enforcement career was in Florida and I was new to this area, I lacked connections within the law enforcement community. Al facilitated my introduction to the outstanding group of law enforcement professionals in the area (including Rep. Lovick) for which I will always be grateful, and assisted with helping me ensure my students got the best and most relevant education possible in order to be the best police officers they could be.
He has been extremely generous with his time and expertise. At the state chiefs’ conferences, it was clear how much respect he had amongst the chiefs and sheriffs from around the state. Over the years I have been on committees with him and seen him at various functions, some celebratory and some very tragic. As Rep. Lovick stated, Chief Compaan is a class act and the consummate professional, always doing the right thing. He always has a smile on his face and is a compassionate “real” person making everyone who has the opportunity to speak with him feel valued.
Law enforcement is a difficult profession and I thank Al Compaan for giving 40 years of his life to making the community safer. I am sure the Edmonds community realizes their loss but his influence extended beyond the city of Edmonds and I am sad for all of us. But this retirement is well deserved. I also thank his devoted and talented wife Anne who so unselfishly shared him with all of us. It is definitely not easy being the spouse of a law enforcement professional.
Capt. Linda Forst
Director of Criminal Justice
Shoreline Community College
Mukilteo
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