Forest Lawn is located at 6701 30th Avenue Southwest.   The ceremony is expected to last about 30-40 minutes, with the Seattle Police Honor Guard, the Seattle Police Pipes and Drums, and several speakers. 

The car sustained a bullet hole through the passenger door outward, but the victim was not hit and did not require medical attention.  No innocent bystanders were injured as a result of the incident.

A large wooded area between the West Seattle Golf Course and High Point was contained by officers and two canine units tracked and searched the wooded area for an extended period of time without locating the suspect, who remains at large.

The Chevy was impounded and taken to the evidence garage.

Domestic Violence detectives will have responsibility for the on-going investigation.

Officers and a K-9 team responded quickly, set up containment, and conducted an extensive area search, but did not locate the suspect.  The suspect is described as a black male , mid-late twenties, dark complexion, and  medium height.  He was described as wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black sweat pants, black basketball shoes, and an orange bandana covering his mouth.  He was also described as possibly being high on drugs and having a “foul” body odor.  The suspect was armed with a gun.

Detectives from the Sexual Assault Unit are handling the follow up investigation.  Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Seattle Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit at (206) 684-5575.

Some of you may already know me from the time I spent as a reporter covering crime and the Seattle Police Department at PubliCola.com, SeattleCrime.com, and The Stranger but, for those that don’t, allow me introduce myself.

For the last five years, I’ve covered shootings and stabbings from Little Beirut to Rainier and Henderson. I’ve detailed the department’s uphill battle towards hiring more officers. I’ve profiled long-running undercover investigations, interviewed gang members and the families of their victims, and pored over thousands of police reports to keep Seattle residents informed about purse snatchings and car prowls in their neighborhoods. It’s been anything but boring.

Now the Seattle Police Department has asked me to work with them to keep you updated on the latest in crime and policing around the city.

As a life-long Seattle resident, I know how alarming it can be to wake up in the middle of the night to the wail of police sirens rushing by your window or a helicopter buzzing overhead, and not know why.

Starting today, you’ll be able to find answers to those questions here on the Blotter, where I’ll be posting about neighborhood crime, issues like the department’s efforts to clean up Belltown by offering treatment to low-level street drug dealers, and what SPD’s doing to address a rise in gun violence across the city.

I’ll also be working with the department on a few projects to improve your ability to access information about crime in your neighborhoods and better connect you with the men and women of SPD who work hard, every day, to keep you safe.

Now more than ever, Seattle residents need to be assured that the police department is here to help. I want to hear from you if you’ve got concerns about issues in your neighborhood or want to know more about what the department’s doing to make you safer.

Riding around in patrol cars and talking to officers and detectives over the last few years has allowed me to see a very different side of the city I was born and raised in. I want to continue to share that unique perspective with you, to give you a better picture of the patient, meticulous and fearless work that SPD does every day.

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VPEP Mission

Protect life and property, preserve the peace and suppress illegal activities. Ensure the safety all individuals present and assist with the orderly flow of vehicles and pedestrians. Provide the affected communities with positive police interactions.

VPEP Concept of Operations

All personnel will remain in their precinct of assignment.  Assigned officers will be deployed to the various areas of interest by the Incident Commander or designee. The overarching goals are to prevent violent crime and to build rapport between officers and the residents, visitors and businesses.  Officers will engage in visible patrols and social contacts.  Officers will also conduct business checks with the local business owners and staff.

Officers will focus their patrol and enforcement efforts in and around the identified area of concern. This will include alleys, parking lots and the areas surrounding businesses. Officers are expected to act on all violations of law and disruptive behavior.  Physical arrests should be made on all incidents involving violent behavior. Officers will partner with Department of Corrections (DOC) personnel to conduct checks for violent offenders.

Any information regarding gang activity, juvenile issues, or concerns raised by the nightclub staff will be forwarded to the Incident Commander or their designee.

Sergeants will be responsible for the deployment and supervision of their officers, as well as for social contacts with business owners, residents and visitors in the selected areas. Lieutenants will be responsible overseeing the deployment of assigned officers and sergeants and the reallocation of resources as needed throughout the precinct and the city.

On February 17th, another suspect was located by detectives and taken into custody.  That 18 year old suspect was later booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Robbery.

On February 22nd, at approximately 4:15 pm, another suspect was located in the 5600 Block of 39th Avenue Southwest.  That suspect was taken into custody without incident.  Another person was with him at the time, who matched the physical description of one of the suspects.  Both suspects were interviewed by detectives and provided information about the robbery.  The two suspects, ages 16 and 21 were later booked into YSC and KCJ respectively for Investigation of Robbery.  This remains an active and on going robbery investigation.

With the theme, “Heroes Among Us”, the gala paid a fitting tribute to the men and women of the Seattle Police Department who protect our city every day and night.  Joining me at the event were Officers Joe Cepeda and Ryan Gallagher of Seattle Police Pipes and Drums, Detective Kim Bogucki of the “If Project”, Sergeant Kevin Grossman, Hostage Negotiator and Professional Standards supervisor and Sergeant Sean Whitcomb of Public Affairs.  They are just a select few of the heroes that have dedicated themselves to a career of public service – our department consists of hundreds of men and women just like them.  In fact, a number of department members – sworn and civilian, uniformed and plain-clothes – volunteered their time to attend this amazing event to ensure its success.

This event would not have been possible without the tireless effort of the members of the Seattle Hotel Association and Seattle Hotel Association President Howard Cohen.  I cannot begin to express the immense gratitude that I have for Howard, his board and those that worked closely with them to support their efforts. 

For the Seattle Police Foundation to have been selected as a beneficiary of the Seattle Hotel Association’s “Evening of Hope” fundraiser is truly an honor.  It is a great benefit to the Seattle Police Department and the communities that we serve.  Since 2002, the Seattle Police Foundation has raised more than five million dollars.  That money has been invested in community partnerships, employee development and specialized equipment and technology for our officers.  Many of you probably aren’t aware that department units like SWAT, CSI, Victim Support Team, K-9, and Patrol Operations are regular recipients of bi-annual grants funded by the Seattle Police Foundation.  Our Picnic in the Precinct program wouldn’t be possible without the Foundation and let’s not forget the horses!  In 2011, the Seattle Police Foundation stepped in to conduct a fundraising campaign to preserve our historic Mounted Patrol Unit, some of the most visible and beloved members of our department.

The work behind this year’s Evening of Hope has clearly been rewarded.  The Seattle Hotel Association successfully raised over $400,000.  Clearly, there is no shortage of generosity and goodwill in our community! 

As Chief of Police and on behalf of the men and women of the Seattle Police Department, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to those who sponsored the event, those that made the auction items possible and also those who purchased them!  Once more, special thanks to Howard Cohen and the members of the Seattle Hotel Association.  Also, thanks to the Seattle Police Foundation President and CEO Renee’ Hopkins and the Seattle Police Foundation Chairman of the Board of Directors Sam Baker.  Thank you for making our officers safer and our communities stronger. 

John Diaz, Chief of Police