Memorial Procession Map

 A memorial procession along city streets for Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton will be held on Friday, November 6. Approximately 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles will depart at 9:00 a.m. from the University of Washington and will travel to a service for the slain officer at Key Arena.   

During the procession, which is expected to last from 9:00 a.m. to noon, other traffic will not be allowed on the route and will not be allowed to cross it. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers to expect severe congestion near its path, especially as mourners are also anticipated along its course.

The memorial procession will use the following route:  begins at the University of Washington’s E-1 parking lot; south on Montlake Blvd NE to 24th Ave E; south on 24th to 23rd Ave E; south on 23rd to E Madison St; west on Madison to E Pine St; west on Pine to Broadway; north on Broadway to E Denny Way; west on Denny to 1st Ave N; north on 1st to Key Arena. Staging will begin in the E-1 parking lot (north of Husky Stadium on Montlake Blvd NE) beginning at approximately 8:00 a.m.  

Parking will not be allowed along the route and temporary “No Parking” signs will be emplaced. Officers from the Seattle Police Department will manage all intersections for the procession. 1st

Avenue N (Denny to Mercer) and Mercer Street (1st to 5th avenues N) will be closed when the procession arrives at those locations. Roads around the Seattle Center will also be closed to traffic, to include parking, prior to the event. 

The public memorial service at Key Arena will begin at 1:00 p.m., with doors opening at 11:00 a.m. No formal procession is planned after the ceremony. All questions concerning the procession route and traffic impacts should be directed to the Seattle Department of Transportation.

“The family of Officer Tim Brenton would like to thank the community for the tremendous outpouring of support.  Even with the tragic loss, Tim’s wife and children are finding solace in the support from the police community, their friends and family, and the community as a whole.  We know that Tim would be honored and humbled by the limitless support that has been provided at the difficult time.  We sincerely thank you for the generous emotional support, thoughts, and prayers.”

It is with profound sadness that we must inform you that a Seattle Police Officer was killed in the line of duty last night.  Officer Timothy Brenton,  a Field Training Officer assigned to Third Watch, East Precinct, was shot to death while he and Student Officer Britt Sweeney, were parked in their patrol car in the 100 Block of 29^th Avenue  last night shortly after 10:00 p.m.  The investigation thus far has shown that Officers Brenton and Sweeney had just completed a traffic stop and were discussing the stop as part of Officer Sweeney’s training.  Their patrol car was parked facing southbound in the 100 Block of 29^th Avenue on the west side of the street.   Officer Sweeney was in the driver’s seat; Officer Brenton was in the front passenger seat.  As they were discussing training, a vehicle, described as a light-colored small car, also travelling southbound, pulled up next to the patrol vehicle.  The suspect(s) opened fire upon the officers.  The bullets went by Officer Sweeney’s head, grazing her in the back of the neck and tearing her uniform shirt and vest.  Bullets struck Officer Brenton in the head, killing him.  The suspect vehicle then fled northbound on 29^th Avenue.  Officer Sweeney was able to exit the patrol car and return fire at the suspect vehicle.  The suspect vehicle may have been struck.  Officer Sweeney was able to get on the air and summon additional officers to the scene.  Officer Sweeney’s performance was exemplary under the most stressful and horrific call imaginable.

There was a massive response from all points of the city and beyond. Patrol, detectives, and the Hospital Response Team all responded and provided support for officers and the families.   Information is being developed as to possible suspect(s).  SPD Homicide detectives are responsible for this investigation.

There is no other way to describe what occurred last night to Officers Brenton and Sweeney other than this was a deliberate act of murder.   We have all the resources of the Department working on this investigation, and will not stop until we have those responsible answer for this heinous crime.  We owe it to Officers Brenton and Sweeney, their families, ourselves and the community.

Officer Brenton was 39 years old and a 9-year veteran of the Department at the time of his death.  He leaves behind a wife and two children.  Officer Sweeney is 33 years old and a recent graduate of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center.

Funeral arrangements are being planned and more information will be forthcoming.

This is a profound tragedy and shock to our senses.  We will take the time to grieve, reflect, and honor our fallen brother.  The Department’s Crisis Incident Stress Management Team will be available for all those who request it.

The Department has set up a tip line for the public to provide information that may assist the investigation.  That number is (206) 233-5000.

A bank account for Officer Timothy Brenton’s family is being set up at this time.  We will provide more information when the details become available.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call either 911 or the Seattle Police Homicide Unit at 206 684-5550, or the tipline at (206) 233-5000.  Those wishing to remain annonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637).  Your text message should include “TIP486″  to ensure proper routing.  If a tip leads to an arrest and the filing of charges, callers may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000.  An additional $20,000 reward is being offered by the Seattle Police Officer’s Guild, for a total of $21,000.  Calls are taken 24 hours a day.

One of the most effective ways in which the Seattle Police Foundation achieves its mission to support the employees of the Seattle Police Department is through their sponsorship of the Awards Banquet.  The banquet also raises money to support public safety initiatives funded throughout the year by the Seattle Police Foundation.  In eight years, the Foundation has funded more than 200 projects in partnership with the Seattle Police Department.  On Friday evening, more than 900 employees, their friends and families, event sponsors, and members of the community attended the annual banquet.

“The Annual Awards Banquet is an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the members of the Seattle Police Department, and honor their dedication to serving the community.  We greatly appreciate the support of the community as we honor these men and women,” said Interim Chief John Diaz.

“The Seattle Police Foundation is committed to raising support and awareness for the Seattle Police Department, and the annual Awards Banquet is an opportunity to bring together employees and the community they serve.  It is always a great event,” said Laurie Sorenson, Seattle Police Foundation Chairwoman.

The keynote speaker this year was Anthony E. Zuiker, the creator and executive producer of the popular CSI television franchise, which now includes CSI:  Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami and CSI: New York. The CSI franchise is entering its tenth season this year. 

Dozens of employees of the Seattle Police Department, both sworn and civilian, were honored this year for Valor, Distinguished Service, Excellence, and a wide range of other accomplishments. Here is a list of the honorees:

Medal of Valor 
Officer Eric Faust 
Officer Marcus Martin

Distinguished Service 
Detective James Rodgers 
Detective Bryan Van Brunt 
Officers Dave Foley & Harold Dentinger 
Officers James Thomsen & Adam Losloben

Medal of Courage 
PEO Ken Newlin

Civilian of the Year 
Mimi Walsh

Officer of the Year 
Chris Myers

Detective of the Year 
John Lewitt

Precinct Officers of the Year 
North – Randy Maxwell 
West – Frank Poblocki & Michelle Gallegos 
East – Chris Brownlee 
South – Dionne Perkins 
Southwest – John Kiehn

FTO of the Year 
Officer Tracy Beemster

PEO of the Year 
Lynne Edwards

Outstanding Public Service 
Detective Danial Conine 
Janis George 
Capt. Ron Wilson 
Detective Todd Novisedlak 
PEO Toner Eren

Innovation 
Detective Chris Hall 
Tracy Whitlatch 
Detectives Monty Moss & Aaron Reynolds 
Communications Team: Sgt. Sean Whitcomb, Officers Jeff Kappel, Mark Jamieson, & Renee Witt, Shanna Christie, Gina SantoDomingo & Cathy Wenderoth

East Precinct DMI Workgroup: Capt. Paul McDonagh, Director John Hayes, Community Prosecutor Tienney Milnor, Sgt. Marc Garth-Green, Officers Chris Kelley, Sina Ebinger, Yvonne Tovar, Court Harris, Pablo Lee, Tyrone Davis, Noah Zech, Ryan Keith, Steve Nadell, Matt Lilje & Detectives from Narcotics Pro Act Team

Excellence 
Sgt. Alan Bernstein 
Officer Christie-Lynne Bonner 
Lynette DeShaw 
Detective Rik Hall 
Sonja Lalor 
Officer Tom Henshaw 
Officer Joe Kowalchyk 
Officer Randy Kyburz 
Sgt. Ann Martin 
Regan Moffat 
Detective Dan Stokke 
Detective Michele Vallor 
Officer Adam Elias 
Officer Sam Byrd 
Officers Chris Kelley & Sina Ebinger 
Rena Martinez and Danette Neuhausen 
Officers Juan Tovar & Ponham Lim

Community Ambassador 
Officer Kevin McDaniel

Inspirational 
Officer Bob Jellen 
Sgt. Randy Woolery

Impact 
Narcotics ProACT Teams: Lt. Carmen Best, Sgts. Mike Devine & Alvin Little, Eric Greening, Detectives Tom Mahaffey*, Terry Chin, Dave Doucett, Dave Fitzgerald, John Fox, Rudy Gonzalez, Michele Hackett, Richard Huntington, Brandon James, Diana LaFreniere, James Manning, Dan Romero, Pete Sicilia, Brett Smith, Fran Smith, Troy Swanson, K.D. William, Officer Erin Rodriguez* & Tracy Whitlatch 
*Assigned to units outside Narcotics

Faux Bag Down Investigation Team: Detectives Todd Jakobsen, Dave Redemann, Tye Holand, Scott Waltier, Scotty Bach, Zsolt Dornay, Ron Smith, Everett Edwards, Stacy Litsjo, & Chris McNulty

Gang Unit: Sgts. Jim Dyment, Steve Jandoc &  Mike Coomes, Detectives, Jim Britt, Daina Boggs, Ed Chan, Shandy Cobane, Ben Hughey, Tom Janes, Wade Jones, Brian Lundin, Tom Mooney, Josh Rurey, Miko Santiago, Aaron Sausman, Bob Sevaaetasi, Rob Thomas, & Don Waters

Southwest Precinct Detectives:Sgt. Jeff Durden, Detectives Nick Bauer, Ed Garcia, Brian Ballew & Shayne St. John 

Belltown Drug Interdiction: Sgts. Brian Kraus, & Mark Hazard, Officers James Lee, Jason Diamond, Matt Pasquan, Dave Blackmer, Marty Harris, Kerry Zieger, Rob Cierley, Raul Vaca, Andy Zwaschka, Terry Bailey, Juan Tovar, John Kallis, & Narcotics ProACT Team Detectives

According to witnesses, the suspect was travelling at a high rate of speed southwest on Lake City Way NE.  The suspect turned south onto 20th Avenue NE, cutting the corner in such a manner that he drove into the northbound lanes.  It was here that the suspect struck a 42-year-old male pedestrian as he crossed from east to west in the marked crosswalk just south of Lake City Way NE.

The suspect immediately fled the scene.  Witnesess believe that the suspect vehicle’s license plate is similar to “855-YUM”.  This vehicle may have damage to the windshield and front bumper on the driver side.  Detectives from the Traffic Collision Investigation Section responded to investigate and process the collision site.  They are asking anyone with additional information to contact the case detective directly at 206 684-8936.  Those wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800 222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637).  The text message should include “TIP486” to ensure proper routing. If a tip leads to an arrest and the filing of charges, callers may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1000. 

The pedestrian was transported to Harborview Medical Center and remains there with life-threatening injuries.