Finch deserved death

I want to tell you about Sgt. James Kinard.

In 1986 I was at home with my handicapped father when three assailants broke into our garage and assaulted me when I went to investigate. Deputy Kinard was the responding officer. He was a compassionate professional. He took information and consoled my very frightened father and myself. And Deputy Kinard went and did what he had sworn to do. He arrested the perpetrators and upheld the law.

He was a big man but very respectful and not intimidating. I remember these things clearly after all these years because that is how strong an impression this man made on me. Years later, my roommate played softball with Deputy Kinard, and my roommate’s father was a sheriff’s deputy and colleague of his.

Deputy Kinard is missed. The cowardly murder of Deputy Kinard and Ronald Modlin was tragic. But not as tragic as the miscarriage of justice that took place in the Snohomish County Superior Court last week, when jurors decided to spare the coward Charles Finch’s life.

I felt safe knowing James Kinard and men like him were guarding us as the watchtowers of our community. I slept well at night because of this knowledge. I sleep a little less peacefully now.

Thank you for your help in 1986, Sgt. James Kinard. You are missed.

Edmonds