LawOfficerConnect: Procession Videos
Photos: Lakewood Memorial Service
TACOMA, Wash. – Four Lakewood police officers will be remembered at a memorial service that is expected to draw thousands of mourners.
Local law enforcement in Washington state, along with those traveling from as far away as New York, Chicago, and Boston, will begin Tuesday's memorial with a three-hour procession to the Tacoma Dome, where the caskets of Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, and Greg Richards will be placed.
Officials estimate that as many as 20,000 people could pack the arena.
In addition to eulogies from family, friends and public officials, mourners will watch a video tribute to the officers who were killed by a lone gunman as they sat at a coffee shop before the start of their shift.
Memorial service details
Processional Order of Vehicles
(Subject to change – details of exact agencies and participants will be known the day of the processional as they sign in)
– Motorcade – all motorcycles
– Pierce County Police Agencies – Lakewood Fire Department
– Pierce County Fire & EMS Agencies
– All other Police and Fire Agencies Program for the Lakewood Officers
Memorial Ceremony
The first of the procession should arrive at the Tacoma Dome at approximately 11 to 11:15 a.m. The family of the slain officers and the Lakewood Police Department will be escorted to a waiting area, and the caskets of the fallen officers will be placed in the Tacoma Dome.
Members of the procession as well as other law enforcement and public safety personnel will then enter the Tacoma Dome to assigned seating areas. The Tacoma Dome will open its doors at 11 a.m. The following is the schedule of events for the ceremony:
Invocation – Chaplain Dennis Fountain
Welcome Remarks – Mayor Doug Richardson, City of Lakewood
Remarks – Chief Bret Farrar, Lakewood Police Department
23rd Psalm – Chaplains Larry and Diane Huffman, Lakewood Fire Department
Prayer – Chaplain Alve Robbins
Comments by Family and Friends – Assistant Chief Mike Villa, Tukwila Police Department; Assistant Chief Michael Zaro, Lakewood Police Department; Pamella Battersby, Ronda LeFrancois, Austin Richards, Jami-Mae Richards
Memorial Video Presentation
Special Music – Lakewood Officer Gene Sievers "The Dance"
Remarks – Governor Christine Gregoire
Benediction – Chaplain Alve Robbins